Well-being Program
What's Happening this Month
August is National Breastfeeding Month & National Immunization Awareness Month
Nourish, Sustain, Thrive
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the benefits of human milk while also working to protect, promote, and support lactation practices and policies. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce inequalities among lactating people.
The 2024 theme for National Breastfeeding Month is Nourish, Sustain, Thrive. (Note: Johns Hopkins strives to use inclusive language and prefers “chest-feeding” and “lactation” to “breastfeeding.”) In August, each week will highlight and celebrate a different group, shining a light on the importance of lactation and promoting support for all. Two additional events take place in September.
Lactation Support at JHU
Pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, surrogacy and loss are all major life transitions. Johns Hopkins knows that continuing to chest/breastfeed or pump after returning to work or study requires extra planning, patience and support. The Johns Hopkins Lactation Support Program helps make the transition back to work or study easier so you can express milk as you need to for you and your milk beneficiaries.
Click here to use our interactive maps to see lactation rooms available across multiple JHU campuses.
5 Reasons why it’s Important for Adults to get Vaccinated
Vaccines have greatly reduced diseases that once routinely harmed or killed babies, children, and adults. People all over the world—including in the United States—still become seriously ill or even die from diseases that vaccines can help prevent. It is important that you stay up to date on recommended vaccines.
Physical
Maintaining physical well-being is the foundation of your total well-being. Find resources on physical fitness, nutrition, tobacco cessation and more.
Virtual Fitness
Burnalong is a virtual wellness platform that features thousands of online classes for all ages, interests, and levels, plus the social motivation needed to achieve health and wellness goals. You can also add 4 friends or family members to your account. Click here to set up your free JHU BurnAlong account.
Nutrition & Weight Management
JHU has partnered with WeightWatchers to help you reach your weight-loss and wellness goals. With WeightWatchers’ most personalized program and award-winning app, you can lose weight, eat healthier, move more and develop a more positive mindset. Choose the plan that fits your lifestyle; core or premium. For newly retired employees, you will need to re-register below as a “retiree” in order to maintain your discount. Click here to access your discounted account. NOTE: Please note that this is a taxable benefit.
For JHU Police Department or Unite Here employees, please click here to access your unique WW account.
Onsite Fitness
On CAMPUS
Low membership rates are available to faculty, staff, and bargaining unit members at our on-site fitness centers at the Ralph S. O’Connor Recreation Center on the Homewood campus and the Cooley Center on the East Baltimore campus. Contact the center to join.
OFF CAMPUS
Through your free JHU LifeMart account, you have access to GlobalFit and other portals that offer gym discounts, resources for staying active at home, workout gear and more.
Smoking and Tobacco Cessation
If you smoke, use tobacco products or vape, quitting is an essential step toward better health. Prepare to quit tobacco with smoking cessation resources from JHEAP. (Company code: JHEAP)
Each of our medical plan providers offers support for smoking and tobacco cessation including free nicotine replacement therapy. If you are not enrolled in one of Johns Hopkins health insurance plans, you still have free smoking and tobacco cessation support through a national network of tobacco cessation quit lines.
Mental & Emotional
We know that stress can take a toll on your mood and mind. The good news is that meditation, yoga, and other stress-busters can help you calm your mind, boost your mood, and improve your overall sense of well-being.
Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program (JHEAP)
Through Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program (JHEAP), 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 JHEAP 24/7, 365 days a year, by phone at 888-978-1262 . Bypass the phone call and submit your counseling request via an online request form here.
Calm App Premium Membership
JHU students, faculty, and staff have free access to the Calm app. The calm app provides meditation instruction, sleep assistance, videos on mindful movement and stretching, and relaxing music. You can use the calm app from your phone or desk top. First create an account at calm.com/jhu and follow these steps:
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- Use an @jhu.edu or @jhmi.edu email to create the account
- Click on the confirmation email that is sent to your inbox
- Download the Calm app from Apple App store or Google Play, or go to calm.com
- Log in with the email you used to create the account and Calm Premium will be available for free
Clarity Capsule
The Clarity Capsule provides a private space for tranquility and rejuvenation, which can help reduce stress. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are welcome to spend a few minutes inside meditating, listening to music, doing a breathing exercise, or simply having a quiet moment to themselves. The Capsule is located in East Baltimore inside the Ross Building/Turner Concourse, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore MD 21205. Learn more here.
Social
Social connection is a vital component of your overall well-being. Give back to your community, get support, and get fit together.
Give Back
Community Engagement – Whether you want to help fund school uniforms for city school students, bring holiday cheer to a family in need, spend a day in community service, or volunteer your assistance in some other way, JHU’s many service, charitable, and community programs are a great place to start.
Get Support: Virtual Groups
Benefits & Worklife hosts several recurring virtual networking groups for employees including:
These networking groups are an opportunity to connect with Hopkins peers who may be going through similar life experiences. Registration is required. To ensure privacy, these sessions are not recorded and are only available to Johns Hopkins affiliate employees. Click on the networking group you are interested in joining for registration details.
Work Stride: Cancer Prevention, Navigation and Support is an employer-sponsored benefit program that provides comprehensive information and nurse navigator support to help all Johns Hopkins employees and managers understand and navigate the cancer journey. Work Stride oncology nurse navigator Rose Wolfe hosts two this monthly support groups offering cancer-related information and education as well as answering your specific questions. For more information, contact Rose at 844-446-6229 or [email protected].
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- Employee Support Group meets the first Wednesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m.
- Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m.
Get Fit Together
Burnalong – Working out with friends, family and colleagues can help you stick to your wellness goals! As part of your free Burnalong account you also have access to add up to 4 sub-accounts so your friends/family can join.
Learn how to add sub-accounts by watching How To Add Sub Accounts and Take A Burnalong Class Together Virtually.
Looking for a team-building activity? You can set up team challenges to keep your department engaged, lift morale, and to get everyone moving together, regardless of work location. Use Burnalong as a quick 5 minute meeting starter to get your team energized and ready.
Financial
Financial stability and health are a key part of your overall well-being, and we’re happy to offer programs that can help. Below are a few important steps you can take to boost your financial health.
Meet With an Expert
To help you make decisions about your financial planning and retirement investments, JHU has partnered with Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), an independent investment advisor. MMA’s Prosper Wise is a digital platform and one-stop hub for all things financial planning. Through Prosper Wise, you can schedule time to meet virtually with a financial coach, access educational videos, live and on-demand webinars, news articles, financial calculators and more.
Click here to sign up for your financial well-being account with MMA Prosper Wise.
Schedule a consultation to speak to a financial professional from Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) regarding any questions that are specific to your individual financial needs. Consultations can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance with appointment times ranging from 15 to 25 minutes. Various financial topics can be discussed including: your employer retirement plan, general investment questions, social security, debt & budgeting, employee benefits & insurance, tools available on the Prosper Wise site, and pre-retirement planning. Meetings are conducted virtually through Zoom at a date & time that is convenient for you. MMA is available to assist Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm EST.
Retirement Resources
If you’re not already saving through JHU’s retirement plans, get started right away. Our 403(b) plan lets you save for your future with pre-tax dollars.
You can learn more by exploring the education and learning site provided by TIAA, our 403(b) retirement plan vendor. Their site gives you an overview of investing basics and retirement planning, including information about asset allocation, Social Security, and other retirement essentials.
You can access personalized advice on the retirement plans’ investment menus from TIAA. When you meet with a TIAA financial consultant, you’ll get answers to questions about savings, investment strategy, and getting on track to meet your retirement goals. Advice and education are available as part of the Johns Hopkins University retirement plan at no additional cost. Take advantage and schedule a virtual virtual financial counseling session , or by calling 800-732-8353, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
In-person consultations with TIAA are back in 2024. Click to view the current schedule and register for appointments in East Baltimore and Homewood. Please note that an appointment is required and walk-ins are not accepted.
Financial Well-being Webinars
Click here to watch on-demand financial well-being webinars held by MMA over the past year. Review the Financial Decision Support and Advice page, where you can also find additional on-demand webinars.
Workshops
Faculty, staff, and departments can access an array of workshops that provide enrichment, education, and tools to help you effectively manage the daily challenges of living, and help you to thrive in all areas of your life.
Recurring Webinars
Benefits Insight Webinar Series
Join us on the fourth Thursday of each month for an educational series designed exclusively for valued faculty and staff. Each webinar provides an in-depth exploration of a specific benefit to empower you with knowledge and an enhanced work-life experience. View the flyer.
REquest a Workshop
Benefits & Worklife workshops assist Johns Hopkins employees in managing the competing demands of work, personal life, and academic pursuits. Schedule a workshop for your next staff meeting, work retreat, or special event. Most workshops are one-hour in length and must be requested by a manager at least one month in advance of the event date. These offerings are free of charge and require a minimum of ten employees to schedule. Workshops are organized by the following program categories: Benefits, Family & Caregiving Programs, Health & Wellness, Mental Health, and Retirement Planning. Please review the workshop catalog and complete the form for each workshop you are requesting.
On-Demand Webinars from Work Stride
TIPS FOR AGING WELL
No matter your age, there are things everyone can do to support and improve your overall health for years to come. From recommended screenings to healthy lifestyle practices, join your Johns Hopkins Work Stride Nurse Navigator for an interactive webinar to discuss aging well for a happy, healthy life.
Click here to view the on-demand webinar. Note: Video may take several minutes to load.
SUN & SKIN
Did you know melanoma is the most diagnosed cancer in the US? In this informational webinar learn how to reduce the risk of skin cancer, the importance of screening, and how Work Stride from Johns Hopkins Medicine can help you and your family.
Click here to view the on-demand webinar. Note: Video may take several minutes to load.
Have questions about screenings or want information about how to protect yourself and your family? Contact your Work Stride oncology nurse navigator at 844-446-6229 or via email at [email protected].