Sadly, over 49,000 Americans died by suicide in 2022. Too often those struggling with suicidal thoughts and mental stress are afraid to ask for help because of the stigma associated with mental illness. Participate in National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month by educating, listening, sharing stories, showing compassion, and providing hope to those who need assistance. Talking about suicide and knowing how to help others can save a life!
During National Cholesterol Education Month, take time to schedule a screening and understand your cholesterol levels to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Approximately 38% of adults in the United States have high cholesterol.
Financial Update: The University will be making enhancements to their retirement plans beginning the week of September 18, 2023. Please see additional information below under “Financial Wellness” to learn how TIAA and CAPTRUST can support you and any questions you may have.
Taking care of your mental, physical, and financial wellness is extremely important. We hope this monthly benefits newsletter will make it easy and convenient for you to do just that.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24/7, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. Dial or text 988 for immediate assistance.
For additional resources about suicide awareness and prevention, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website.
Carebridge
Join Carebridge in September for:
Breaking the Silence on Suicide: What to Know and How to Help
Wednesday, September 13, noon–1:00 p.m.
Suicide Awareness
September 21, 11:00 a.m.–noon
Grief Check-In: Grieving the “Firsts” After a Loss
September 28, 3–3:30pm
If you are experiencing any of the following, don’t put off asking for help:
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression and loneliness
- Grief and loss
- Relationship conflicts
- Parenting concerns
- Addiction
- Trauma or domestic abuse
For an in-person appointment with a Carebridge counselor at the Employee Wellness Center, schedule your appointment online.
To speak with a Carebridge mental health professional 24/7, call (800) 437-0911, visit their website www.myliferesource.com (use code TW8AE to register), or download their App from Apple or Google Play.
Health Advocate
Struggling with suicidal thoughts can happen to anyone who is feeling depressed or overwhelmed by difficulties such as grief, loss, financial burdens, relationship problems, health issues, cultural pressures, or loneliness. Watch this video about coping, and remember, seeking help is a sign of strength.
To use this confidential benefit, call (866) 695-8622 or visit Health Advocate.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the walls of cells throughout the body. Too much cholesterol in your blood is very dangerous. Almost 2 in 5 adults in the United States have high cholesterol, a total blood cholesterol greater than 200 mg/dL. Elevated cholesterol puts you at risk for developing heart disease and increases your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Get screened regularly, understand the guidelines below, and speak with your doctor or Princeton Health Coach today.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Getting Your Cholesterol Checked
High cholesterol usually has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know whether you have high cholesterol is to do a simple blood test, called a “lipid profile,” to measure your cholesterol levels.
CDC Optimal Cholesterol Levels
- Total cholesterol: About 150 mg/dL
- LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: About 100 mg/dL
- HDL (“good”) cholesterol: Greater than or equal to 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women
- Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL
My Health Coach
Raising your good cholesterol (HDL), along with lowering your bad cholesterol (LDL), can reduce your chances of developing heart disease and diabetes.
Join this month’s webinar:
Sleep Your Way to Better Health
Tuesday, September 19, 11–11:45 a.m.
The My Health Coach Program can help you manage your overall health. Health Coaches work with you to meet your goals. All visits are free and confidential. To set up your first appointment call (866) 237-0973 or send an email.
Castlight
The Castlight tool can help you find in-network doctors and facilities and compare them by location, cost, quality rating, and patient reviews. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff, and their adult dependents, enrolled in a Princeton medical plan have access to Castlight at no cost. Register for Castlight or download the App from the Apple App Store or Google Play. To learn more, call (866) 207-6344 weekdays from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Bright Horizons
Planning ahead means less stress later, and a good night’s sleep! If you have a gap in child care consider using back-up care through Bright Horizons. Every January you are allotted 100 hours for the calendar year. Additionally, Bright Horizons provides access to virtual tutoring if your child needs a little extra help this fall. Virtual tutoring is only $4 per hour.
To learn more on back-up care or virtual tutoring, register on the Bright Horizons website or call Bright Horizons at (877) 242-2737. The user name is Princeton and the password is care4you.
Princeton is committed to offering a competitive retirement program that helps faculty and staff plan and build for long-term financial security. In that pursuit, the University is making enhancements to the retirement plans to further increase fee transparency, lower plan costs, and optimize the ability to monitor the plans investments. Communications about the enhancements were sent to participants the week of August 18, which included the Transition Guide. To lend support and answer questions, TIAA and CAPTRUST will be providing additional individual advice sessions on campus, as well as live webinars.
CAPTRUST
September 26 and 27
Sign up for an on-campus appointment.
TIAA
September 19, 21, 25, 28, and October 2
Sign up for an on-campus appointment.
TIAA Live Webinars
TIAA
Keep your financial goals on track with TIAA’s live webinars, including “Avoiding Fraud & Scams” and “The Starting Line: Beginning to Save for Retirement.” For the complete listing of this month’s TIAA webinars, visit the registration page.
TIAA offers individual retirement counseling sessions, either online, by phone or in-person which provide in-depth planning assistance. To schedule an appointment, register online.
CAPTRUST
CAPTRUST’s number one mission is to connect participants with timely, relevant, and actionable content to help you make smarter financial decisions and ultimately retire with confidence. This benefit is free, completely confidential, and provided by a company that has no products or services to sell you.
To speak to a counselor about the University’s retirement plan and/or other financial issues, call the Retirement Advice Line at (800) 967-9948. For more information, including articles, videos, and other valuable resources, visit the CAPTRUST website.
Isles
Isles is dedicated to helping people manage everyday money issues such as budgeting, saving, and reducing debt. Counseling is available in English and Spanish.
Learn more about the programs and services provided by Isles.
The Employee Wellness Center @ 350 Alexander
Here, you will find support to help you care for yourself and your family, so you can thrive at work and at home. Whatever challenges you’re facing, help is available. Get more details on the HR website.
Questions?
For questions about physical or mental wellness resources, contact Lynn Herbine. For financial wellness inquiries, contact Jane Edgar. The Benefits Team is available to assist at (609) 258-3302 or [email protected]. For complete details on all wellness resources and programs, visit the HR website.