Health, Well-Being, and Safety Resources
Brandeis is committed to the health, well-being and safety of its faculty and staff. The following are some of the many services offered to care for our community.
Spotlight on Well-being
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Mental illness. Over the course of one's lifetime, most people will experience mental health challenges, involving changes to thinking, mood, and behavior. Mental illnesses are disorders, ranging from mild to severe, that affect a person’s thinking, mood, and/or behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one-in-five adults live with a mental illness. Many factors contribute to mental health conditions, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problem
A few of the most commonly diagnosed mental illnesses include depression, anxiety, panic attacks or panic disorder, and substance use disorder.
Depression. Depression is a mental health condition that causes you to feel sad, lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy, withdraw from others, and have little energy. It's different from normal feelings of sadness, grief, or low energy. Depression can also cause people to feel hopeless about the future and to even think about suicide. It is not a character flaw, and it does not mean that you are a bad or weak person.
For more information about seeking care and talking to your doctor, click here.
Anxiety. Feeling worried or nervous is a normal part of daily life. Everyone frets or feels anxious from time to time. Mild to moderate anxiety can help you focus your attention, energy, and motivation. If anxiety is severe, you may feel helpless, confused, or very worried. But your feelings may be out of balance with how serious or likely the feared event might be. Find out more here.
Panic attacks and panic disorder. A panic attack is a sudden, intense fear or anxiety. It may make you short of breath or dizzy or make your heart pound. You may feel out of control. Some people believe that they're having a heart attack or are about to die. An attack usually lasts from 5 to 20 minutes. But it may last longer, up to a few hours. Find more here.
Substance Use Disorders. Substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms of SUD may include behavioral changes, such as:
- Drop in attendance and performance at work or school
- Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities)
- Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Unexplained change in personality or attitude
- Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts
If you have concerns about your substance use, or the substance use of someone you know learn more and get support in how to start the conversation.
Tips for Living Well with a Mental Health Condition. With early and consistent treatment—often a combination of medication and psychotherapy—it is possible to manage mental illness, overcome challenges, and lead a meaningful, productive life. Today, there are new tools, evidence-based treatments, and social support systems that help people feel better and pursue their goals. Some of these tips, tools and strategies include:
- Stick to a treatment plan. Even if you feel better, don’t stop going to therapy or taking medication without a doctor’s guidance. Work with a doctor to safely adjust doses or medication if needed to continue a treatment plan.
- Keep your primary care physician updated. Primary care physicians are an important part of long-term management, even if you also see a psychiatrist.
- Learn about the condition. Being educated can help you stick to your treatment plan. Education can also help your loved ones be more supportive and compassionate.
- Practice good self-care. Control stress with activities such as meditation or tai-chi; eat healthy and exercise; and get enough sleep.
- Reach out to family and friends. Maintaining relationships with others is important. In times of crisis or rough spells, reach out to them for support and help.
- Develop coping skills. Establishing healthy coping skills can help people deal with stress easier.
- Get enough sleep. Good sleep improves your brain performance, mood and overall health. Consistently poor sleep is associated with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Tips for Engaging in Respectful Conversations Around Mental Health. SAMHSA has developed a conversation guide to support a friend or loved one by providing them with access to services for mental health or substance use. This guide helps start conversations respectfully and helps guide the friend or loved one to resources that could help.
Additional Resources for Conversations:
- Time To Talk: Tips For Talking About Your Mental Health
- How Respectful Dialogue Can Reduce Mental Health
- Tips For How to Help a Person with Mental Illness
Need Help?
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 781-736-3333 (On campus) or 911 (Off campus)
- Chat or call and text 988, if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis. Help is ALWAYS available.
- Learn how to get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues.
- Visit or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) for help locating treatment facilities or providers.
- Connect with our Employee Assistance Program: KGA. KGA is Brandeis' Employee Assistance Program, and your guide to emotional well-being. This service is provided by Brandeis University and is available to you and your adult household members. This is a free and confidential program. Call 1-800-648-9557 or visit the website. Log-in password: brandeis
- Support at Brandeis.
- Do you have concerns about an undergraduate or graduate student ?
- Submit an I Care Form
- Do you have concerns about a faculty or staff colleague?
- Do you have concerns about an undergraduate or graduate student ?
Accident and Injury Reporting
- Ensure you and those around you are safe
- Call Public Safety (781-736-3333) for first aid, help, or there are other hazards
- Call Occupational Health (781-736-8769) with questions or for additional support
- Notify your supervisor
- Get checked out - please contact your primary care provider or be evaluated by a local urgent care or emergency room
- Complete the accident/injury report. Please use the link to create an accident/injury report.
Brandeis Contacts
- Public Safety Emergency: (781)736-3333
- Public Safety Non-Emergency: (781)736-5000
- Occupational Health: Suzanne Raj, occhealth@brandeis.edu, (781)736-8769
- Worker's Compensation: Renee Relerford, reneerelerford@brandeis.edu, (781)736-4451
- Environmental Health & Safety: Andrew Finn, afinn@brandeis.edu, (781) 736-4262
- Facilities: Monday-Friday 7 AM- 4:30 PM (781)736-8500. Weekends, Holidays and After Hours (781)736-5000
Local Urgent Care
AFC Urgent Care Waltham: 1030 Main St · (781) 894-6900
Monday - Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Newton-Wellesley Hospital Waltham Walk-In: 9 Hope Ave · (617) 243-5590 Mondays - Friday: 10 AM - 6 PM, Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED
PhysicianOne Urgent Care Waltham: 1019 Trapelo Rd · (860) 650-3848 Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 8 PM, Weekends and Holidays: 9 AM- 5 PM
Emergency Rooms
Newton-Wellesley Hospital- Main Campus: 2014 Washington St. Newton, MA 02462 · (617) 243-6193.
Other Numbers to Know
- Poisoning or Chemical Exposure Hotline: 1-800-222-1222
- Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure: Wash exposed and seek medical evaluation immediately.
- Injured at Work Quick Sheet Download (pdf)
- Hoja Rápida Sobre las Lesiones en el Trabajo (pdf).
Accommodation for Nursing Individuals
Brandeis supports its employees with young families. Nursing individuals are offered adequate break times and private spaces to express milk for their babies.
Massachusetts Laws: Nursing At Work
The federal PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act protects all nursing employees, but Massachusetts already has a strong workplace lactation accommodation law. The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (2018) requires employers with six or more employees to provide all breastfeeding employees with reasonable break time and a space (other than a bathroom) to pump. In addition, the law stipulates that the lactation space must include electrical outlets, table, and a place to sit. Read the law: Chapter 54 of the Acts of 2017.
Dedicated lactation rooms:
- 60 Turner Street 1st floor, space 132-113A
- 51 Sawyer Road 2nd floor, space 160-247
- Goldfarb Library Room 69-41A
- This room is kept locked. To access the room a key can be checked out at the library’s information desk with your Brandeis ID. For reservations, please check the specific Google calendar for the space and book an available time or contact library-lactation@brandeis.edu. You may need to ask for directions after obtaining the key as the room is a little tricky to find. The room can accommodate two individuals at one time. The key should be returned to the information desk after use. The room is equipped with a refrigerator and microwave (for sterilization) with a sink nearby.
- Leo Gerstenzang Library of Science Room 128
- This room is kept locked. To access the room, contact graduateaffairs@brandeis.edu. The room is located in the science complex through the Student Lounge area and through room 127 accessible with your ID card. Walk through the quiet study area and you will see room 128 on your right. This room can accommodate three people at one time. Kitchen area is next door with access to a refrigerator, microwave (for sterilization) and sink.
- Rabb Graduate Center Room 118
- This room is kept locked. To access the room a key can be checked out with reservations by contacting pannella@brandeis.edu in the English department. The room is equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave (for sterilization) and numerous electrical outlets with a sink nearby.
External Nursing Support Resources
COVID-19
End of Public Health Emergency. The federal government has ended the COVID-19 Public
Health Emergency declaration, meaning COVID-19 surveillance testing, contact tracing and
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are no longer a requirement. In alignment with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Brandeis University has ceased our COVID-19 contact
tracing efforts. Updated May 11, 2023.
COVID Vaccination Recommendations. COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have been updated
to recommend adults ages 65 years and over receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-
19 vaccine dose. Brandeis COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. Updated February 28, 2024.
Illness Management. CDC advises that COVID be managed similarly to other viral respiratory
illnesses. Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if
you have symptoms of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV
that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue,
cough, runny nose, and headache, among others. Updated March 1, 2024.
If you test positive for COVID-19 or believe you have a viral respiratory illness.
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
Employee Assistance Program
We are pleased to announce that starting January 1st Brandeis will be partnering with KGA as our new Employee Assistance Program. KGA offers 24/7 access to a network of experts providing support for mental health, childcare, eldercare, legal, financial issues and more. KGA’s confidential services are available to you and your adult household members, at no cost to you. You do not need to receive benefits through Brandeis to access this resource. This resource is available to all Brandeis employees.
Call 1-800-648-9557or visit the website.
Log-in password: brandeis
Health and Well-being Resources
Nutrition Coaching
Nutrition Coaching provides Brandeis students, faculty, and staff with a convenient and affordable opportunity to meet their health goals. Brandeis Athletics' nutrition coach is nationally certified through NASM and is prepared to assist you in Weight Loss (losing fat), Weight gain (gaining healthy fat and muscle), Body Recomposition (losing fat and gaining/preserving muscle), and Performance enhancement (improving diet to maximize athletic performance).
Recreational and Social Activities
Brandeis University Staff Advisory Committee sponsors a number of social and recreational activities for Faculty and Staff.
Mental Health Support
- Employee Assistance Program
Contact our employee assistance program (KGA) for free, confidential counseling that is available 24 hours a day, every day. Call 800-648-9557 or visit the website. Login password: brandeis - SAMHSA’s National Helpline, also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service. They are confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, substance use, and information service, in English and Spanish. They can also be reached via phone at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889.
- NAMI HelpLine, National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. They can also be reached Monday through Friday, 10 am–6 pm, ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
- Finding Mental Health Support in Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) can connect you directly to clinical help, when and where you need it. Even if you’re not sure what kind of help or treatment you may need, they can help guide you. Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year (including holidays).
- Call or text 833-773-2445
- Live chat available at: https://www.masshelpline.com/
- Crisis Resources:
- Samaritans Statewide Helpline: 1-877-870-4673
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial 988
- EAP, New Horizons: 800-828-6025
- Health Insurance Behavioral Health Service Navigation: Trying to understand your health insurance's Behavioral Health benefits? Most health plans provide coverage for outpatient counseling and inpatient behavioral health services. Learn more about what most health insurance providers in Massachusetts cover:
Physical Fitness Resources
Physical Fitness Resources
- Fitness at Home
- Gosman Sports and Convocation Center
- Group Exercise Classes
- Personal Training
- Aquatics
Tufts Health Plan Fitness Reimbursement Program
Faculty, staff, and postdocs enrolled in a Tufts health plan are eligible for a reimbursement of up to $150 per family, per benefit year for fitness center membership fees and/or exercise classes. Tufts Health Plan Member Fitness Rebate Form
Staff Emergency Loan Program
The University is committed to supporting our staff with comprehensive benefits, programs and
services. We recognize that there may be times when a staff member experiences a significant and
unexpected personal emergency that creates a financial burden or crisis. To assist staff in these cases, the University offers eligible staff an emergency loan program.
The program is designed to provide a loan to the staff member to help cover the costs of the emergencies when they take place. The details of the program include:
Eligibility:
- All benefits eligible staff with at least 6 months of continuous service.
Program Structure:
- One interest free loan request per year.
- Payment terms - 12 months.
- Loan agreement - repayment via payroll. Up to amount - $5,000 (based on need).
- Loan must be paid in full if termination occurs prior to full repayment.
- Approval of an emergency loan is not guaranteed and is subject to the reasons for the request and/or the funds available in the program.
Examples of unexpected personal emergencies may include:
- Fire or natural disaster to the employee’s residence.
- A medical emergency not covered by medical insurance.
- The costs associated with an unanticipated family emergency (death; parent, spouse or child stranded out of state due to a non-self-directed event).
- Domestic emergency (domestic violence, incarceration of a custodial child, court-mandated change in custody of a child).
- Unexpected and significant repairs of an employee’s vehicle, if the vehicle is used as the primary mode of transportation to work.
- Impending eviction from one's residence through no flagrant fault of the employee.
Spiritual Well-being
Religious services
Religious services are held throughout the year at the Berlin (Jewish), Bethlehem (Catholic) and Harlan (Protestant) chapels as well as the Dharmic prayer and meditation space and Muslim prayer space on campus. Schedules and more information are available at the Center for Spiritual Life website.
Workplace Safety
- CPR, Stop the Bleed, & Overdose Prevention Training
- Emergency Preparedness
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Drug-free and Alcohol free Workplace
- Smoking
- Workplace Violence Prevention and Workplace Conduct
- Prevent Heat Illness at Work
- Prevenir las Enfermedades Relacionadas con el Calor
- Occupational Health and Safety Trainings
Workspace Assessment
Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them.
An ergonomic assessment is an assessment of a workstation to ensure correct working postures and workstation set-up. A good ergonomic assessment is done to reduce uncomfortable postures, repetitive tasks, and straining of the body.
Important Numbers
Type of Concern | Contact | Phone / Email |
---|---|---|
Immediate Harm or Threat, Medical Emergency, Fire, Chemical Spill | Public Safety |
781-736-3333 781-736-5000 (non-emergency) |
Sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence and stalking |
800-841-8371(24/7 Hotline)
|
|
Environmental or Waste, General Questions | Andrew Finn, Manager of Environmental Health & Safety |
781-736-4262 |
Hazardous Waste Pickups, Containers, Labels. Waste Area Setup | Hazardous Waste Hotline | 781-736-2561 |
General Employee Health or Safety Concerns and Questions | Suzanne Raj, Manager of Occupational Health |
781-736-8769 |
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