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mySupport Program

We know personal challenges can affect you at work and at home, and mySupport is here to help.

Sometimes it’s the little things—like finding a plumber to fix that leaky sink or a doggie day care to keep your new puppy occupied. Sometimes the issues are bigger and life-challenging, like struggles with depression, drug and alcohol misuse, or financial or legal problems. Whatever your need, mySupport is free, confidential, and at your service.

RETURN TO CAMPUS SUPPORT GROUPS FOR EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS

COVID-19 response is bringing a lot of changes to our lives. Whether you’ve already been reporting to a shared workplace or you may be called in soon, you’re not alone in feeling anxious and stressed. No matter what your return to the office looks like, feeling support as an employee and supporting and engaging with your employees as a manager is key.

 

 

Join mySupport for Return to Campus Support Groups for Managers to learn about leading through change and discuss how best to support your teams as we prepare to transition back to campus.

Join mySupport for Return to Campus Support Groups for Employees to get the support and resources to help you return to campus, stay resilient and cope with stress and anxiety.

Schedule an Appointment for Emotional Support

Through mySupport, JHU employees and their household family members have free 24/7 access to confidential counseling and referral services for help with stress at work or at home, emotional distress, a difficult life transition, or other challenges. You can reach mySupport 24/7, 365 days a year, by phone at 443-997-7000 or by scheduling an appointment.

When you call mySupport, a clinician will listen, provide support, and help you identify resources and next steps. If you choose to arrange a televideo or in-person appointment, mySupport will provide referrals to licensed clinicians in your area.

Your first five in-person counseling sessions are free and won’t require use of your insurance. You and your family members also can opt for an in-person appointment with a member of mySupport’s OnSite Clinical Care Team, located on various Johns Hopkins campuses.

For additional online resources, visit www.resourcesforliving.com,Username and Password: JHU

Schedule a mySupport Presentation

MySupport offers the following presentations for teams at the manager’s request:

  • ALL ABOUT JOHNS HOPKINS MYSUPPORT eMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

    • This workshop offers an overview of mySupport’s services, which are available to JHU and JHHS faculty and staff and their family members

  • HELPING MANAGERS RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO DEPRESSION IN THE WORKPLACE

    • This workshop offers an overview on depression, its impact on the workplace, and how managers can help employees whose work performance may be affected by depression.

  • STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING STRESS IN CHALLENGING TIMES

    • This workshop offers participants an overview of mySupport services, an overview of the ways stress shows up in their lives, and tools for healthy coping and thriving during challenging times.

  • PROMOTING EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN THE WORKPLACE

    • This workshop offers an overview of mySupport services, a recognition for promoting emotional well-being in the workplace and how it benefits everyone, strategies for promoting a healthy work environment and managing stress, and ways to manage a healthy work-life mix.

  • UNDERSTANDING AND TREATING DEPRESSION

    • This workshop offers information about the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of clinical depression, as well as effective treatment options for you or someone you care about.

To schedule a mySupport presentation for your department, visit the Benefits and WorkLife Workshops and Webinars Request Page.

For additional Benefits and WorkLife On-Demand Workshops and Webinars, click here.

JH myConcierge & Daily Life Assistance

JH myCONCIERGE

From gifts to flights, flowers to hotels, JH myConcierge is on hand to take care of the little things that make a big difference. Research, recommendations, and reservation services are available to enhance your experience.  JH myConcierge include the following but are not limited to:

  • Relocation services
  • Domestic and Global customized personal travel itineraries
  • Dining reservations, private dining, chefs’ tables
  • Leisure activities
  • Entertainment options with access and tickets to premium entertainment and sporting events
  • Golf access to nearly 1,000 private golf courses
  • Access to over 200,000 tours and activites
  • Customized and unusual experiences from party planning to everyday tasks
  • Find personal shoppers to source hard to find items
  • Partner offers, i.e. florists, fine wines, gourmet gift baskets
  • Global ticketing access to major events

JH myConcierge is available to you and your family to help you find and book personal services, general pre-departure services, personal travel services, lifestyle services, special occasions, referrals & appointment setting, and wellness activities.

Ready to start planning? JH myConcierge is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling 1-833-659-6674.

DAILY LIFE ASSISTANCE

Struggling to find that balance between work and home? Let us lighten your load. Through mySupport, you and your household family members have 24/7 telephone access to a daily life assistance counselor by calling 443-997-7000 and asking for resources and referrals for child care, elder care, pet care, parenting issues—even household help, such as finding a contractor. mySupport’s online services also can help you find services and resources for prenatal care, adoption, emergency care, summer camps, school and college search, and other needs. And mySupport also offers phone and in-person legal services; financial services, such as help with budgeting, managing debt, and tax preparation; and identity theft resolution and consultation.

mySupport Managers' Toolkit & Resources

The mySupport Managers’ Toolkit was created to help managers, supervisors, and leaders to:

  1. Identify mental health disorders and recognize the impact they have on the workplace.
  2. Identify resources managers can use to support mental wellbeing on their teams.
  3. Locate and list the full range of mySupport services, for employees and managers.
  4. Identify best practices managers can implement to assist team members in distress.

Click here to access the mySupport Managers’ Toolkit

Click here for additional mySupport information and resources for managers 

Mental health resources are a great tool to have for yourself, your family, co-workers, and team members.

FOr On-Demand Resources, Expand the content below

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

It’s a time to shed a light on this global health crisis and work to remove the stigma. Talking about suicide may feel uncomfortable, but we can all learn, take action and help save a life. Now is the time to build awareness, acceptance and compassion. Use the resources listed below to learn more on how to talk about suicide, how to notice when someone may need help and how to reach out for assistance.

Additional Resources

  • Stop a Suicide: offers a free interactive suicide risk inventory that immediately connects those who are concerned about suicide risk in themselves or others with crisis intervention counselors and/or emergency services.
  • Suicide Prevention Resources Center: provides consultation, training and resources to enhance suicide prevention.
  • Suicide Awareness – Voices of Education (SAVE): provides suicide education, as well as facts and statistics on suicide and depression. It links to information on warning signs of suicide and the role a friend or family member can play in helping a suicidal person.
  • Talk Saves Lives Training: the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has developed an interactive online training to help prevent suicide. Talk Saves Lives™ online tool is designed to help you understand suicide and know the warning signs. Then you can start the conversation. To start the training visit your member website, Username & Password = JHU; under mental health and addictions > suicide prevention > Talk Saves Lives online training. For additional information, visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
  • Mental Health First Aid: if you want to learn more about suicide, stigma, mental health issues and what you can do to help, consider signing up for a mental health first aid course by going to the Mental Health First Aid website. Through education, you can help make a difference.

Hopkins Specific Resources

  • If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can reach out to mySupport for professional support from a licensed counselor 24/7/365. mySupport provides confidential counseling for up to five visits at no cost for Johns Hopkins employees and household members. Call mySupport at 443-997-7000, for free, confidential help and referrals for an emotional or mental health concerns you may have.
  • Articles, videos and resources to help understand and prevent suicide. Look out for more resources all this month. Resources for Living will share information and resources in support of suicide prevention. Username & Password: JHU.
  • myStrength: myStrenth is a behavioral platform that provides self-care resources to manage and overcome challenges with depression, anxiety, stress balancing intense emotions and COVID-19.
    • Create a free myStrength account at myStrength.com using access code: JHU
    • Download the myStrength app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
    • Login with the email used to create the account

What if I am a manager concerned about a member of my team? 

Click here for more information on consulting with a mySupport OnSite clinician, referring employees to mySupport directly, making a referral, informal referrals and crisis response services. mySupport can lend guidance and consultation about the best ways to respond to difficult workplace situations.

Depression Awareness Resources

Who can help?
The university recognizes that employees and family members may be impacted by depression especially during this global pandemic. MySupport counselors are available to faculty, staff, and their household family members at 443-997-7000, option #2, 24/7/365 to assist with emotional support and daily life assistance.

What resources are available to me, my family, my co-workers, and my team?

  • Coping and Thriving Webinar Series: Click here to discover upcoming webinars to help you to cope and adjust to these overwhelming and difficult times. Topics include finding comfort beyond the comfort zone, recognizing depression, understanding and treating depression, etc.
  • MyStrength App. Click here to access the myStrength portal using one of the following access codes: JHHS or JHU. This app has a mood tracker and evidence-based modules for mood and anxiety management.
  • Articles, Videos, and Resources on Depression. Click here for additional depression resources. These resources include articles on depression, depression resource center videos, and information on the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), and other organizations.
  • Articles, Videos, and Resources on Suicide and How to Help Someone Who’s Having Suicidal Thoughts.  Click here for additional resources on suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can reach out to mySupport or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This resource includes articles to help understand and prevent suicide, the suicide resource center, and additional national suicide resources.
  • Talk Saves Lives Training. Talk Saves Lives™ online tool is designed to help you understand suicide and know the warning signs. Then you can start the conversation. Click here to start the training.
  • Online Depression Screening:
    • Depression is more than feeling sad or blue. Real depression gets in the way of you being you. It can stem from family history, a life event, a health condition….or no reason you can understand. Whatever the cause, depression is treatable. And you’ve got support along your journey.
    • If you are ready to check in on how you are feeling, try the depression check. It’s just 10 simple questions to help tune in to your feelings. Click here to take the assessment.
    • Following the assessment, contact mySupport to connect with an on-site clinician by calling 443-997-7000, option #2 or scheduling here.

How can I get emotional support for myself or a family member immediately?
To receive emotional support in the moment, call 443-997-7000, press option #2. You will be connected to a clinician in the moment, who will provide free, confidential, emotional support, and can help you to identify resources and next steps.

What if I am a manager concerned about a member of my team or my whole team related to race and emotional well-being?
Click here for more information on consulting with a mySupport OnSite clinician, referring employees to mySupport directly, making a referral, informal referrals, and crisis response services.

Support for Teens, Young Adults and Their Loved Ones
  • Suicide Prevention for Guidebook for Parents: Adolescence is an exciting time. But it can be challenging too. We know that teenage mental health and suicide are very real problems. This guidebook will provide you with tools to help you support your child’s mental health.
  • Teens & Social Distancing: Social distancing is hard on everyone because we all need distance, personal space and connection. It’s especially hard on teenagers who need freedom, more independence and time with peers. Click here to read more about helping your teen.
  • Mental Health America’s 2021 Back to School Toolkit: Facing Fears, Supporting Students, aims to help students, parents and school personnel recognize how feeling unsafe can impact mental health and school performance, and what can be done to help young people who are struggling with their mental health. Access the toolkit here.
Learn to Cope and Thrive: Webinars Just For You

What is Coping and Thriving?

As crises arise, we have to change our way of coping and adjusting. Change can sometimes feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate. mySupport has partnered with the Family and Caregiving Programs & Wellness Programs to bring you the Coping & Thriving Webinar Series. Through webinars on various topics, we hope to provide tips, tricks, and techniques to help you cope, heal and thrive through the crises we face. These webinars are offered live, reoccurring, and on-demand.

Click here to learn more

Race and Racial Discussions

Who can help?
The university recognizes that the current events around racial justice, diversity, and civil unrest may be stressful for members of the Johns Hopkins Community, especially those with family and friends who are impacted. MySupport counselors are available to faculty, staff, and their household family members at 443-997-7000, option #2, 24/7/365 to assist with emotional support and daily life assistance.

What resources are available to me, my family, my co-workers, and my team?

  • Coping with civil unrest resources for employees & managers:
    • Click here for an employee toolkit with information on coping with distress from current events.
    • Click here for a manager toolkit with information on coping with distress from current events.
    • Click here for information on supporting your staff after distressing world events.
    • Click here for information on how to prevent burnout and fatigue for managers.
    • Click here for information on how to identify and support employees in difficult situations.
  • Civil Unrest Resources. Click here for response resources for civil unrest. These resources include hotlines to help those in need of crisis counseling, crisis response for parents, and resources specific to Major Metropolitan Cities such as Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Chicago, St. Louis, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
  • Tips for Managers in the Workplace. Click here for information on the three common missteps for managers to avoid and three ways for managers to take meaningful action.
  • Racial Justice, Diversity and Mental Health Resources. Click here to receive additional information on advocacy organizations and black mental health resources.
  • Resources for Violence Against Asian Americans. Click here to receive additional information on advocacy organizations and resources for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
  • A Difficult But Necessary Conversation. Click here to learn how to navigate sensitive discussions about race and discrimination on myStrength. To create a myStrength login, use access code JHU ( for university employees) or JHHS (for health system employees).
  • Coping and Thriving Webinar Series. Click here to discover upcoming webinars to help you to cope and adjust to these overwhelming and difficult times. Topics include Talking to Kids about Race & Racism, Racial Justice Dialogue-Allyship & Advocacy, Navigating Working While/With Black, Cultural Differences & Mental Health Treatment, and Understanding & Overcoming Unconscious Bias.
  • Talking with kids about injustice. Click here for a guide on how to talk to young children about injustices that they may already be aware of. This document will help with talking to kids about injustice and offers suggestions on responding to injustice.
  • Additional Racial Discussion Resources. Click here for additional resources provided by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity. These resources include support resources for black individuals and communities such as Black Mental Health Alliance, Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, and Racial Trauma is Real information.

How can I get emotional support for myself or a family member immediately?
To receive emotional support in the moment, call 443-997-7000, press option #2. You will be connected to a clinician in the moment, who will provide free, confidential, emotional support, and can help you to identify resources and next steps.

What if I am a manager concerned about a member of my team or my whole team related to race and emotional well-being?
Click here for more information on consulting with a mySupport OnSite clinician, referring employees to mySupport directly, making a referral, informal referrals, and crisis response services.

Resources for Healthcare/Medical Personnel and their families

Coping with COVID-19 For Healthcare & Medical Personnel

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues we know that healthcare and medical personnel are working hard and may be in need of additional support. You’re a professional. But you’re also human. Dealing with adults and children who are sick- and scared-can create an enormous burden. It can lead to traumatic stress, similar to that of soldiers who’ve been in combat. When you, a family member, or a friend are suffering from traumatic stress you may see:

  •  Headaches, stomachaches, backaches and more
  • Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
  • Extreme worry and anxiety
  • Nightmares and flashbacks
  • Feelings of depression or irritability
  • Use of drugs or alcohol for self soothing

Health care and medical personnel should respect their stress signals. Recognizing stress symptoms and respecting the need to help yourself is important. For starters, de-fuse with some of the following steps:

  • Take a break during the day: Go outside, take some deep breaths, call a friend or do anything that soothes you
  • Take care of your own needs: Self-care is critical during this time. Spend time with your family, work out and minimize your news intake. Use your breaks to recharge your batteries.
  • Ask for help: The pressure of your job can really catch up with you. If you’re having trouble sleeping, eating, or regulating your stress level, get support.
    • MySupport is available to Johns Hopkins employees, 24/7/365 by calling 443-997-7000, option #2 or schedule an appointment with a counselor here.

Source: Aetna Resources For Living © 2019 Aetna, Inc.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click here for information on Coping with COVID-19 for medical staff

Click here for access to the Health care workers’ mental health guide

Click here for information on healthcare workers and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)