May 2021, Volume 3, Number 9
Upcoming Wellness Events
Date
Event
Time
Thursday, June 10
Pension Maximization Webinar Presented by VOYA
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday, June 16
4:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday, June 24
Diabetes Prevention Webinar Presented by Frederick Health
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday, July 1
Thursday, July 22
Wednesday, September 15
Wednesday, December 15
CareFirst Wellness
May is Mental Health Month
Mental health and substance abuse issues not only impact an individual experiencing the illness, they create a ripple effect impacting family, friends, co-workers and ultimately the community. According to NAMI, 1 in 5 US adults experience mental illness with 1 in 25 experiencing serious mental illness.
Mental health conditions affect a person's thinking, feeling or mood. These conditions may affect the person’s ability to relate to others and function each day. Each person will have different experiences, even people with the same diagnosis. In May, we encourage you to raise awareness and support throughout your workplace to help debunk the harsh stigma around mental health.
CareFirst Resources
Our specially trained service representatives, registered nurses, clinical social workers and licensed behavioral health specialists will connect you to the right services based on your
individual needs:
¦ Help finding the right mental health provider(s) and schedule appointments
¦ Connect you with a care coordinator who will work with your doctor to create a tailored action plan
¦ Find support groups and resources to help you stay on track.
CareFirst members have access to specialized services and programs for depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol dependence, eating disorders and other mental health conditions.
For support during a crisis or help making an appointment, call 800-245-7013 or for more information visit www.carefirst.com/mentalhealth.
To speak with our Employee Assistance Program, ComPsych Guidance Consultant, please call (800) 272-7255. For hearing impaired, please call (800) 697-0353. For more resources, you can go to www.guidanceresources.com (Web ID: FCPSMD).
National Resources
National Institute on Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov)
National Alliance on Mental Health (www.nami.org)
MentalHealth.gov (www.mentalhealth.gov)
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/)
How to Connect
Inspirations and Relax 360°
Inspirations and Relax 360° can help you take control of stress. Available through the CareFirst Wellness Portal - Sharecare, both tools offer relaxation and wellness videos that help you experience freedom from stress, unwind at the end of the day, or ease into a restful night of sleep.
Video Visit for Mental Health
Did you know you can utilize your CareFirst Video Visit to talk with a therapist or psychiatrist? Chat virtually with a mental health expert to help manage your concerns or issues including anxiety, depression and grief.
Register today by visiting www.carefirstvideovisit.com or download the CareFirst Video Visit app from your favorite app store.
Routine is Key
NAMI stresses the importance of addressing mental health concerns for employees and ourselves, including during work-from-home situations. Normalcy and routine helps to overcome uncertainty during this unprecedented time due to COVID-19 and new routines. Here are some of NAMI’s recommendation on how you can maintain normalcy:
·Create a dedicated work environment in your home
·Maintain a consistent routine
·Take breaks to walk, stretch, and hydrate!
·Stay connected to friends, family, and co-workers.
·Communicate face-to-face
How to Improve Mental Health
Stay connected – meet up with friends and family or join social groups
Stay active – physical activity is good for your mental health. Go out for a walk or find an exercise routine you enjoy.
Stress less – incorporate stress management techniques such as yoga or meditation, or simply make leisure time a priority
Get a Good Night’s Sleep – Adequate and consistent sleep can improve your mood, energy levels, mental sharpness, and stress management.
Food can boost your mood – a healthy diet can improve energy levels, sleep, and mood.
Promote Mental Health at Work
Join NAMI “You Are Not Alone” Campaign. Learn more at Mental Health Month | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Take a pledge to be Stigma Free at StigmaFree Pledge | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Take walking or other breaks to promote wellness and mental health.
Deals4U
Looking for some great deals? Enroll in Deals4U! Deals4U is an employee discount program especially for Frederick County Public Schools employees and retirees that provides online access to discounts and deals on products and services from national, regional and local merchants. (Think Target, Peapod, Verizon, HP and more!) The Web-based program is administered by PerkSpot, a company that manages employee discount programs for a wide range of business and organizations across the country.
To take advantage of Deals4U, simply create an online account at deals4u.perkspot.com using your personal (not work) e-mail address. Then enter FCPS (if prompted for a code), and create and enter a password. You will then receive confirmation and log-in instructions. After logging in, you have access to all the discount offers available to FCPS employees. If you log in to Deals4U from your work computer, access to some vendors may be restricted for internet security reasons.
Employee News
FCPS tries to target FindOutFirst emails only to those who have signed up for particular news groups or fall in certain categories. If you would like to receive Wellness email of upcoming events/activities and information, elect to receive Wellness email through your FOF account. To accomplish this, please log in to your FOF account at www.fcps.org/fof, select Menu, select Subscriptions, select FCPS news email you'd like to receive, and then select Save.
Let's Talk About Health Webinars
FCPS has partnered with Frederick Health to host monthly health webinars for FCPS employees and their family members. You have an opportunity to learn about up to date information and resources regarding specific topics. Attendees will receive a free gift, so don't miss out and register.
Upcoming Webinars:
Mammogram Screenings
FCPS has partnered with Frederick Health to host quarterly mammogram screenings for FCPS employees. This is an exclusive time slot just for FCPS employees. Schedule your appointment today and receive a free gift at your appointment.
Screening Dates:
Screening Time: 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Frederick Health - Rose Hill at 1562 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702
To schedule your appointment, call (240) 566-3400 and identify yourself as an FCPS employee. Must have a doctor’s order to participate.
As an FCPS CareFirst member, routine screening mammograms are covered at 100% with $0 co-pay.
Virtual Fitness Class
FCPS Wellness is excited to announce that we will continue to provide FREE virtual fitness classes for FCPS employees, so you can remain on track with your health and wellness goals by including physical activity onto your daily routine. Sessions will be held from Monday, February 1st to Friday, June 25th. Virtual fitness classes will not be held on days schools are closed for staff, but recorded classes are available for registered participants to access at their own convenience. If the times of the scheduled class does not work for you, please consider registering as you are able to access the recorded classes at a time that is more convenient for you.
Hatha Yoga - Monday at 6:00AM - 7:00AM
A gentle yoga that focuses on static poses that is to align, strengthen, and promote flexibility in the body.
Cardio Kickboxing - Monday at 4:30PM - 5:30PM
This fast-paced cardio combines martial arts techniques that builds stamina, improves coordination and flexibility, and burns calories as you build lean muscle with this fun and challenging workout. This high-energy workout challenges the beginner and elite athlete alike.
Strength Training - Tuesday at 6:00AM - 7:00AM
A full body workout focused on building muscular strength & endurance, cardiovascular endurance, core strength, and flexibility. With a combination of body weight, dumbbells, bands, and then some, each class will focus on a unique training approach which will challenge, engage, and inspire participants to become a better version of their current selves! Equipment is optional (other suggestions will be offered).
Zumba - Tuesday at 4:30PM - 5:30PM
A fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves. Zumba routines incorporate interval training - alternating fast and slow rhythms - to help improve cardiovascular fitness.
Barre - Wednesday at 6:00AM - 7:00AM
A workout technique inspired by elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates. It focuses on low-impact, high-intensity movements designed to strengthen your body.
Hatha Yoga - Wednesday at 4:30PM - 5:30PM
Cardio Kickboxing (Previously ABSolute Fitness) - Thursday at 6:00AM - 7:00AM
Bang! - Thursday at 4:30PM - 5:30PM
An urban-inspired mixed fitness class. A fusion of boxing, aerobics, intervals, hip hop, world dance, and body weight training - this class will take your workout to a whole new "banging" level!
Pilates/Core - Friday at 6:00AM - 7:00AM
A method of exercise that consists of low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Pilates emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance.
Yoga (Half Meditation and Half Hatha Yoga) - Friday at 4:30PM - 5:30PM
This class is a great way to wrap up the work week with meditation and gentle yoga.
Please click here to register for a morning class.
Please click here to register for an afternoon class.
Please note: The technology used to host the virtual fitness classes is the choice of the host. FCPS does not provide technology support or endorse the Zoom platform.
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The FCPS Wellness Newsletter is published monthly August-May by FCPS Human Resources, 191 S. East St., Frederick, MD 21701.
Brief information, subject to edits, and captioned photos for possible inclusion are due to Phoebe.Barreto@fcps.org by the 15th of the month. For more information: 301-644-5085.