Vol. 17, No. 1	Sept. 4, 1997

Variety of employee enrichment programs scheduled

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers a wide variety of group and individual programs throughout the year for employees.

Lunch and Learn

These programs are designed to help individuals maintain a healthy, holistic lifestyle-mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. All workshops are held from noon-1 p.m. A minimum enrollment is required for each program.

Please call 831-8308 or send e-mail to Darlene.Sharp@mvs.udel.edu to register.

Crime prevention-Crime can happen- at home, at work, at school and even while shopping. Don't try and protect yourself with half-truths and myths, and don't pass them on to others. Awareness is the first step, so learn the facts. An awareness session will be conducted from noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 11, in Room 206 of the Trabant Center. Charles Wilson, Public Safety, will lead the discussion. Registration deadline: Sept. 5.

Stress management-Activity at work can sometimes resemble the ups and downs of a roller coaster ride. Some stressors in our lives come from external sources-like work and family responsibilities-but others come from within ourselves-like insecurity and negative feelings and attitudes. Regardless of the source, each individual must find solutions that work for him or her. Come and increase your understanding of the ways unmanaged stress can affect health, productivity and our personal lives, and discover the tools that can help you control your stress level. Darlene I. Sharp, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, will lead this session from noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, in Room 219 of the Trabant University Center. Registration deadline: Sept. 19.

National Depression Screening Day-Clinical depression is a treatable illness that is comparable to any major public health problem, and it is among the most common of all clinical problems encountered by primary care physicians. Nearly 75 percent of all people who suffer from clinical depression are currently in the labor force and are between the ages of 30 and 44. Depression accounts for more days lost from work than any other physical disorders (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, arthritis), excluding cardiovascular disorders. The cost to American business totals $23.8 billion in lost productivity and absenteeism, mostly because depression remains untreated more than 50 percent of the time.

Thursday, Oct. 9, is National Depression Screening Day, and a free confidential screening for clinical depression will be provided from 11 a.m-3 p.m. in the Kirkwood Room of the Perkins Student Center.

Registration is not required for this program, co-sponsored by the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Society of Delaware.

Supervisory referral training-The supervisor's role can be a difficult one. Each supervisor must be able to communicate effectively, to listen critically, to employ conflict-resolution strategies and to motivate employees. Attend this session and learn the signs and symptoms of a troubled employee, the services available and how to make a proper referral. The program will be offered from noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21, by Cecily Sawyer Harmon, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, in Room 219 of the Trabant University Center. Registration deadline: Oct. 17.

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program can assist in organizing professionally led or participant-led discussion groups on various topics. All discussion groups meet monthly for eight months from October to May. Decisions regarding speakers and other activities are made by the group. Staff support will be provided by the FSAP. A minimum of 10 persons must be preregistered to start a group. The dates and time of group meetings will accommodate the schedules and needs of group members as much as possible. The purpose of the groups is to provide information and support to those sharing mutual interests. Preregistration is required. Registration deadline: Sept. 31

Additional discussion groups can be formed upon request by calling 831-2414.

Parenting

Parenting is perhaps the most important job an adult has in his orher life. An African proverb says, "It takes a village to raise a child," and this discussion group provides parents with the perspective of a village.

A variety of parenting discussions and other topic-specific groups can be a developed upon request by calling 831-2414.

Caregivers

This group provides mutual aid, support and information-sharing on topics commonly experienced by working caregivers of ill and elderly relatives.

Understanding the feelings and concerns related to balancing work, family, caregiving and personal needs will be emphasized.

Members will discuss role reversal, loss and the stress associated with caregiving.

This group will provide an opportunity to meet others in similar situations and feel less isolated.

For additional information call 831-2414.