OK-ness
spectrum
Doing well
You’re doing well, and that’s wonderful. Whatever you are doing to manage stress and handle what life brings your way is working. Now might be a good time to reach out and check-in with someone who may not be doing as well as you. And it’s always good to remember that everyone experiences ups and downs, so be sure to appreciate the ups when they happen.
What to do when you’re doing well:
When you are doing well, do a little inventory and figure out what you have been doing to get you here, and keep it up. To maintain your state of mind, here are some more actions to take:
- Continue to practice stress management skills
- Take time to help others.
- Engage in an enjoyable activity.
Explore Self-Guided Headspace Meditation and Mindfulness Courses
Keep building on what’s working. Explore guided programs, mindfulness exercises, and skill-building activities designed to help you maintain healthy habits, sleep more soundly, strengthen your focus, manage stress, and support your mental well-being.
Learn More About Mental Health
Mental health is a broad topic that affects how we feel, think, and act. Taking time to learn about mental health when you're doing well can help you better understand yourself and prepare for life's natural ups and downs. Explore the Understanding Mental Health section to learn more.
Familiarize Yourself with Available Resources
Knowing what resources are available before you need them can make it easier to find support when needed. Browse this Employee Mental Health site to learn about available support, educational resources, and tools for you and your family members. Managers and leaders can also find resources to help support themselves and their teams.
Visit Well-Being Central
Mayo Clinic offers a variety of programs and resources to support employee well-being. Explore Well-Being Central to discover what is available for individuals, teams, and leaders. Please note that Mayo Clinic VPN/firewall is required to access this site.
Pause with On-Demand Videos and Educational Webinars
Take a few minutes to reset or learn something new. Browse on-demand meditations ranging from one to 10 minutes, informational videos about your Mental Health and Lifestyle Benefits, and 30-minute educational webinars. Please note that Mayo Clinic VPN/firewall is required to access the Video Exchange.
Attend a Live Educational Workshop or Event
Find upcoming live meditations, educational workshops, benefits events, and other opportunities designed to help you build skills and explore resources.
Holding up
You’re holding up, and that’s ok. Your system is under a little stress, things might not be going as smoothly as usual, but you’re doing your best and keeping things together as best you can. It’s important to acknowledge you’re here, give yourself grace, and recognize that periods of stress may come and go.
What to do when you’re holding up:
When you are holding up, it's especially important to be intentional about recognizing and responding to your needs. Take note of what helps you feel calm, connected, and capable, and make time for those things regularly. Lean on meaningful support and engage in activities that help you recharge and regulate stress.
- Call a relative, friend, or colleague
- Set a positive goal for the day
- Take a brisk walk
Meet with a Headspace Coach
When stress starts to build, talking with someone can help. Headspace coaches provide personalized guidance and support to help you navigate challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, and stay connected to what matters most. Connect with a coach through unlimited 30-minute text-based sessions, up to eight 45-minute video sessions per year, or 24/7 in-the-moment support directly in the app.
Connect with Work Life Services
Life happens, and when responsibilities outside of work start to build, it can feel overwhelming. Work Life Services can help ease stress and save time by connecting you with confidential, vetted, local resources to support everyday needs. Connect with a work life specialist for housing, food, child and eldercare, financial and legal consultations, and other life challenges.
Access Financial Support through LSS Financial Counseling
Financial concerns can be a source of stress, and everyone can benefit from a financial check-up. LSS Financial Counseling provides free, personalized financial counseling and support services for all Mayo Clinic staff and their family members, as well as with educational resources and workshops on a variety of financial topics.
Find Family Support through Bright Horizons
When care needs arise, having a backup plan can make a difference. Bright Horizons provides access to high-quality backup care for children, teens, adults, and elder family members, helping eligible employees (FTE 0.5 or higher) navigate caregiving responsibilities while balancing work and family needs.
Join an Employee Group
Connecting with others can help reduce feelings of stress and isolation. Mayo Clinic offers a variety of employee groups, including physician and scientist engagement groups, Mayo Employee Resource Groups (MERGs), and virtual well-being group coaching opportunities. Find a group that aligns with your interests and connect with others across the organization.
Explore Student Services and Resources
For students, increased stress can make it harder to manage competing responsibilities. WellConnect offers free and confidential support, resources, and guidance whenever you need an extra layer of support.
Struggling
You’re struggling a bit, and that’s ok. Life may be making it harder to do the things you need to get done. The main thing to remember is that periods like these are temporary, and there are things you can do to take care of yourself and begin moving in a more positive direction.
What to do when you’re struggling:
When you are struggling, connecting with trained colleagues and professional resources can help make a big difference, especially if you do this early on. So as soon as you notice yourself in this state, connect with someone who can help.
- Reach out to relatives, friends, and colleagues
- Focus on what you can control
- Build up your reserves with healthy sleep
Talk with a licensed counselor through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
A counselor can be of support for personal, emotional, or work-related challenges. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential counseling and mental health support from licensed professionals, available at no cost to employees and their families.
Reach out to the HELP Program
Connect with trained colleagues who understand the unique challenges of health care and can provide confidential peer support following stressful or traumatic work-related events.
Office of Staff Services (OSS)
Mayo voting and consulting staff can reach out to OSS for confidential consultation and support for benefit decisions, financial planning, workplace challenges, career concerns, and personal matters.
Spiritual Care
Connect with a chaplain for compassionate emotional and spiritual support during times of stress, grief, crisis, or life's challenges. They provide a compassionate presence, confidential support, and guidance tailored to your individual needs.
Occupational Health Services (OHS)
Connect with Occupational Health Services (OHS) to receive support as an employee when mental health or substance use concerns are affecting your ability to work. OHS can help coordinate care, facilitate communication with providers, and ensure appropriate workplace support is in place.
Behavioral Health Support
Find a behavioral health provider through your health plan for therapy, medication management, or other mental health support. Check your insurance plan's provider network or contact your primary care provider for guidance and referrals. For Mayo Clinic patients, Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) services may also be available through your primary care team.
Needing Help
You’re needing help, and that’s ok. Sometimes life can feel overwhelming, and there comes a point when it can all be too much to manage on your own. It’s ok to not be ok. The most important thing is to get help when you need it. There are resources available and people ready to support you and help you through this moment.
What to do when you’re needing help:
When you're needing help, you may be feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, emotionally exhausted, or like it's becoming difficult to manage things on your own. Remember that you don't have to navigate these challenges alone. Professional support is available, things can get better, and reaching out for help is an important step.
Find Immediate Support
When you need immediate support, trained professionals are available to listen and help. Call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, call Headspace In-the-Moment support at 855-271-7344, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line. If you are concerned about your immediate safety, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Talk with a licensed counselor through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
A counselor can be of support for personal, emotional, or work-related challenges. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential counseling and mental health support from licensed professionals, available at no cost to employees and their families.
Occupational Health Services (OHS)
Connect with Occupational Health Services (OHS) to receive support as an employee when mental health or substance use concerns are affecting your ability to work. OHS can help coordinate care, facilitate communication with providers, and ensure appropriate workplace support is in place.
Behavioral Health Support
Find a behavioral health provider through your health plan for therapy, medication management, or other mental health support. Check your insurance plan's provider network or contact your primary care provider for guidance and referrals. For Mayo Clinic patients, Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) services may also be available through your primary care team.
Apply for the Spirit of Caring Award
Apply for financial assistance if you are an employee experiencing a qualifying financial emergency or temporary hardship through the Mayo Spirit of Caring Fund. Free financial counseling through Lutheran Social Services is also available to help support financial well-being.
Recovery Claims Services (RCS)
If a health condition is affecting your ability to work, connect with Recovery and Claims Services to help coordinate leave of absence and pay benefits while you focus on your recovery and care.
Didn't find what you were looking for?
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