Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides postdoctoral scholars and eligible members of their household 24/7 access to confidential counseling to help address issues such as relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, financial hardship and general stress or depression. The most commonly used benefit of the EAP is three free visits (no copay or other out of pocket cost) with a counselor. Many issues can be addressed directly with an EAP professional; in some cases, a referral may be made to other resources within network coverage. Learn more about EAP by visiting this website.  

Health and Wellness Center

The Health & Wellness Center provides counseling services that can help preserve and enhance emotional and behavioral health.

• Individual or couples therapy 
• Support groups 
• Psychiatric evaluation and/or referral 
• Medication management 
• Assessment, treatment and referral as appropriate for alcohol and other substance abuse related problems 

Emotional resilience

• WholeLife Directions offers mental health supports through the convenience of a mobile app
• Resources to prevent compassion fatigue
• Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga resources

Gym membership

The March Wellness and Fitness Center, located on the South Waterfront in the Center for Health and Healing, is open to all postdoctoral scholars and their spouses for a discounted membership rate. To learn more, visit the March Wellness and Fitness Center website.  

Exercise from anywhere!

• Move + Meditate is an online exercise platform available to all benefit-eligible employees
• OHSU's MyCommute Program helps you earn rewards for walking, running, or biking to work

Conflict resolution

Postdoctoral scholars, whether at-will employees or stipend paid employees, are treated as Unclassified Employees for purposes of the right to file a grievance as outlined by OHSU policy 03-50-001.  

In addition, all postdoctoral scholars are welcome to talk with OHSU’s Ombuds about any concern related to their experience and well-being at OHSU. The Ombuds, as a designated neutral, remains unaligned, impartial, and not engaged in any conflict of interest or personal stake in a situation. The Ombuds also does not participate in any formal processes and has no decision-making authority. 

Confidential Advocacy Program

The Confidential Advocacy Program (CAP) provides confidential support services to OHSU employees, students, and volunteers who have experiences any form of sexual misconduct. CAP advocates can connect you with community and campus resources, provide emotional support, help with safety planning, and navigate reporting systems.

Dealing with rejection

• Dealing with Rejection by the University of Washington Career Center
• Some Reflection on Rejection by Douglas L Howard in The Chronicle of Higher Education
• The Art of Rejection by Melissa Girard and Cristina Stanciu in The Chronicle of Higher Education
• On Leaving: Exiting on Good Terms by Allison M Vaillancourt in The Chronicle of Higher Education

Work-life services

• Childcare, elderly care, and family life
• Legal services
• Tax and accounting services
• Financial wellness
• Concierge resource retrieval 
• ID theft protection and fraud resolution

More resources

• Academic Work and Family Responsibility: A Balancing Act by Portia L Cole and John W Curtis in Science Magazine
• Resources for Dual Career Couples by the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium 
• Mental Health and Well-Being of Biomedical Researchers webinars by the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education
• Wellness and Stress Reduction for Scientists webinars by the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education