STUDENT AFFAIRS

Staff and faculty can contact the Employee Assistance Program to schedule free, confidential 24/7 telephonic and video counseling with a licensed counselor for themselves or for their household family members.

The NU Cares emergency fund supports benefits-eligible staff and faculty experiencing a severe, temporary, and unforeseen financial hardship. Applications are strictly confidential and are reviewed by a committee of staff and faculty. The fund is administered by the Well-being team within the Office of Human Resources. Assistance granted is not a loan and is not required to be repaid.

• Video: TED talk: Breathe to Heal by Max Strom
• Book: Breathe by Belisa Vranich (NY: St. Martins's Press, 2016)
• Article: Proper Breathing Brings Better Health by Andre Christophe, Scientific American, Jan. 15, 2019
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• Online: Greater Good in Action is a project established through the Greater Good Science Center at U C Berkeley; they synthesize research studies relating to well-being. 
• Apps
  • Breathe2Relax: free app was developed by the National Institute for Telehealth and Technology, an organization within the U.S. Department of Defense. Guides you through scientifically sound breathing exercises.
  • Universal Breathing: free app that uses music and animation to guide you through several levels of deep breathing exercises.
  • Breathe (free trial for 14 days): guides you through a series of deep breaths; can set Apple watch to remind you to breathe throughout the day.
  • BREATHE-(Northwestern) Breathe is a stress management resource, created purposely for Northwestern Undergraduate students, as well as Graduate & Professional students. In Breathe, you will find a variety of guided meditations and breathing practices to help you deal with stress. You may not be able to eliminate the stresses of life, but you can develop positive coping skills to reduce the negative impact on our mind, body, and spirit...decreasing perfectionism and self-criticism, as well as enhancing our confidence and wellbeing.

CAPS has developed a list of recommendations to promote your mental well-being during uncertain times. 

The Well-being team continues to offer individual, tailored well-being consultations telephonically or via video chat. Email worklife@northwestern.edu to schedule an appointment.

The YourLife mailing list provides weekly up-to-date communications about resources and online programs.

Backup child care is available through our partner centers, when spots are available, for children 6 weeks-6 years old. 

Benefits eligible faculty and staff, as well as students, can use their premium Care.com membership to find in home backup care providers across the U.S.. Our dedicated Action for Children referral specialist, Kanella Maniatis, can help find in-home and other available child care providers with confirmed openings throughout Illinois.

For those navigating adult and senior care, either here or elsewhere in the United States, the University provides  subsidized backup care support and free telephonic consultations through Care.com.