UW and UW Medicine offer a wide variety of support for staff, faculty, and trainees. From immediate crisis assistance to a conversation with a listening supportive ear, we are here for you.
General Support
WA EAP // employee assistance program including counseling, financial, and legal support
The Washington Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP) supports PEBB-eligible University of Washington employees and their household members to help identify and resolve personal concerns to promote individual and workplace wellbeing.
Services include counseling, legal advice, financial counseling and education, family support, and resources for supervisors.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH // work-related preventive care
The UW Employee Health Center provides work-related preventive care for UW employees in specific work groups, such as health sciences research, animal husbandry, oceanographic research, and facilities and maintenance. Employee Health provides these services for UW employees who do not work at any of the medical centers. If you are a clinician, there will be an Employee Health clinic at your primary clinical site or affiliated medical center.
WASHINGTON PHYSICIANS HEALTH PROGRAM (WPHP) // support for physicians with health conditions
Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) is a physician-led program with an experienced staff dedicated to helping healthcare professionals while promoting patient safety. It provides services to physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and veterinarians, as well as students and residents of these professions. Active licensure is not a requirement for participation.
WPHP provides early intervention, assessment, treatment referral and post-treatment health support agreements for health professionals who may not be able to practice safely due to an impairing or potentially impairing health condition.
CARES Program // support for nurses dealing with substance use
The CARES Program (formerly WHPS) created by the Washington State Board of Nursing, stands for Compassion, Accountability, Recovery, Empowerment, and Safety. The program actively works to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use in the nursing profession. It centers around the belief that recovery is possible, and that every nurse deserves access to confidential, respectful, and empowering support.
The program strives to foster a culture of trust, dignity, and mutual respect through clear communication and a collaborative approach, while protecting the public with a robust health verification program that reinforces accountability and safety.
UWMC CARE4U // services, events, and education organized to provide staff support
CARE4U: UWMC’s Well-Being and Support Program
CARE4U offers private support for both individuals and groups at UWMC. We help design personalized well-being and support plans, coordinate events for UWMC staff, faculty, and trainees, provide expert consultations, and bring together all of UWMC’s supportive resources into one easy-to-access program.
- Schedule a debrief for a critical incident, moral distress, or another stress injury
- Get connected with a counselor, peer supporter, or other support resource
- Create a customized support plan for yourself or your team
- Bring well-being and support more directly to your workspace through education, events, activities, and more
THE WHOLE U // events and activities to foster community and promote holistic wellness
For and by the UW, The Whole U launched in January 2014 to foster community, promote holistic wellness, and share the great perks available to UW faculty and staff. The Whole U also offers virtual programming for events and activities.
Learn more about discounts, healthy living resources, and more at the Whole U.
WELL-BEING AND MINDFULNESS // webinars, courses, and resources
Located at Kincaid Hall 3751 W. Stevens Way NE, the Center for Child and Family Well-Being is affiliated with the UW Department of Psychology.
CCFW offers several courses per quarter ranging from 6-8 weeks open to faculty, staff, and community members including Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), “Finding Joy in the Present Moment”, and “Getting Unhooked: Mental Agility for Men.” See their list of current courses.
Looking to support your self-compassion, but do not have the time to take a formal class? Use the online resources created by Dr. Chris Germer and Dr. Kristen Neff to foster self-compassion.
SPIRITUAL CARE // on-site support for Seattle-area UW Medicine team members
The spiritual care team helps people navigate suffering, uncertainty, loss, and grief by using and strengthening the resources they already have. We serve patients, families, and staff at UWMC Montlake & Northwest.
Spiritual Care Providers:
- Support/consult everyone, whether they consider themselves spiritual or not
- Are clinicians on the inter-disciplinary team
- Attend to the well-being of the whole person
- Assess and address existential, spiritual, and/or religious distress
- Practice deep cultural and spiritual humility
Contact Info: Link to Spiritual Care and Wellbeing intranet site (AMC login required)
VA EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE // resources and contacts for VAPS employees
Occupational Health
- Monday – Friday from 08:00am – 3:30pm phone 206-277-4444
- Any calls outside of the hours of operation list above need to go to the COVID after hours number: 206-714-6983
- Need to talk? Want someone who listens? VA Puget Sound has confidential resources you can utilize during these stressful times:
- Chaplain Service: 206-764-2023
- Critical Incident Response Team (Pager): 206-416-6573
- Employee Assistance Program (24/7): 1-800-869-0276; www.espyr.com, Password: VAPSHCS
- Mindfulness practice through Zoom meetings. Don’t have the invite in your calendar? Contact your supervisor to get more information.
- Employee Whole Health Wellness Links
OSHER CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALTH // integrated traditional and modern healing practices
The Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Washington seeks to transform healthcare in the region by integrating traditional and complementary wellness approaches into patient care. The UW Osher Center emphasizes that the practitioner and patient are partners in the healing process, and that all factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration.
RIGHT AS RAIN // UW Medicine digital publication
Right as Rain is a digital publication by UW Medicine dedicated to helping you feel healthy and well.
Mental Health Resources
24/7 SUPPORT // contacts for emergent needs and staff support
For emergent mental health concerns for a colleague, call or text 988, or encourage the employee or escort to the Emergency Department (per regular practice).
For an on-demand counselor or critical incident response, use the WA EAP Call Line 24/7 @ 877-313-4455.
UW Medical Center, Montlake only: Contact Spiritual Care On-Call 24/7 @ 206-559-6764 (text) 206-598-9174 (voicemail) or through the paging operator.
PEER TO PEER PROGRAM // a conversation with a trained supportive colleague
The peer to peer program is designed to provide a supportive listener after a stressful event or when your job feels overwhelming. Any care team member can access one on one support from a colleague in their field – a trained peer supporter.
Find out more and schedule a conversation for you or a colleague here.
PHYSICIAN SUPPORT LINE // psychiatric assistance for US physicians and medical students
Physician Support Line is a national, free, and confidential support line service made up of 600+ volunteer psychiatrists, joined together in the determined hope to provide peer support for our physician colleagues and American medical students.
No appointment necessary. Call the national support line at 1-888-409-0141.
STRESS FIRST AID // training resources to improve recovery from stress reactions
National Center for PTSD
Manuals & Workbook // Training Videos & Materials // Webinars // Resources
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/stress_first_aid.asp
Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare
Resources for healthcare workers
Asynchronous Course *UW NetID required
https://www.theschwartzcenter.org/members/programs-support/stress-first-aid/
*Log in with your UW NetID to get the membership ID for your hospital here: https://forms.office.com/r/QQeEwWBJf9
BLACK PATIENT SUPPORTS // resources for black healthcare workers and the community
Supporting your black patients
#BlackLivesMatter in Psychotherapy
VA talking points for discussing community trauma in response to killings and mistreatment of Black and Brown Americans
Therapists and community support
The Black Mental Health Alliance has several resources for members of the community
Black Therapists Rock includes a therapist search, and has recently published a book, “Black Therapists Rock: A Glimpse Through the Eyes of Experts”
Therapy for Black Girls provides mental health and other therapy related podcasts and other resources developed by and for Black women
For podcasts on Black mental health, articles, and a therapist search, visit Melanin and Mental Health
GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (GME) // resources for residents and fellows
The GME Wellness service offers free and confidential counseling services for individuals and couples in addition to other wellness resources for ACGME and CODA program residents and fellows.
UW ALLIES // resources for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in basic science labs
The UW Medicine Allies program serves graduate students and postdoctoral scholars across the School of Medicine. Allies are faculty and staff who provide trainees with support during conflict with mentors and lab mates, assistance in navigating institutional barriers to success, and connection with institutional and community services. Allies stand in solidarity with trainees, so they don’t have to face challenges alone. Allies are available during weekly drop-in hours or by appointment.
UW HEALTH AND WELLNESS ADVOCATE // support for students affected by sexual assault
The Health and Wellness Advocate works with students affected by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment. The H&W Advocate meets with students to offer support and guide them through their rights, options, and resources.
Phone: 206-685-HELP (206-685-4357)
UW COUNSELING CENTER // therapy available to all UW students
The UW Counseling Center supports students in all aspects of their development, providing personal and career counseling, study skills assistance, and other services to those currently enrolled. The Center is ready to respond to students in crisis situations. Consultations with faculty, staff, and parents who have concerns about a student are also available.
Phone: 206-543-1240
UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UME) // resources for medical students
UME provides services through the School of Medicine’s Counseling & Wellness department program in Seattle or as part of the WWAMI regional program for medical students and their partners. All of the medical student counselors are licensed mental health professionals who are experienced and knowledgeable in providing psychotherapy and counseling to medical students experiencing a broad range of concerns. All services are free and confidential.
Work/Life Integration
TIME MANAGEMENT // articles and workshop recordings
Read The Art of Productivity article.
View the Inbox Zero slides by Mimi Cabrera, MD
Watch the full recording of the January 9, 2025 Time Management and Organization workshop here.
MOVEMENT AND ACTIVITIES // activities for the office or anywhere
There are numerous virtual and in-person options for adding movement into your day.
The Intramural Activities (IMA) Building is UW’s premier fitness center nestled on the bank of Lake Washington. The IMA includes a swimming pool, gyms, assorted courts, locker rooms, indoor track, climbing center, cardio and weight rooms and a variety of studio spaces. Members also have access to locks, lockers, and towel service.
If you’re having trouble fitting in a trip to the gym, break up your time in the office with exercise. You can also try Exercise Rx, a webtool that helps you find free and low-cost exercise resources in your area. It also helps faculty prescribe exercise in clinical settings (linked to EPIC).
Free exercise apps:
- 7-Minute Workout: Become your own personal trainer to lose weight and get fit with fast, simple daily workouts. There are 17 high-intensity bodyweight exercises, 30 seconds per exercise ,10-second rest between exercises.
- 30 Day Fitness Challenges: Start training today to see tangible results and get fit! New workouts, fitness plans, and activities with the HD video tutorial. Get your whole body toned and feel like the best version of yourself. Features include hundreds of exercises carefully selected for you, video instructions for all the routines, and view of your workout history to track the progress you achieved.
- Polar Beat: Run & Fitness: Polar Beat is the ultimate free sports and fitness tracker app from the pioneer wearable sports technology. Running, cycling, gym, walking, dance. Choose your favorite activity from 100+ sports profiles and start reaching your goals.
- Yoga with Adriene: This YouTube channel welcomes all levels, all bodies, all genders. Find a practice that suits your mood or starts a journey toward healing. Work up a sweat, or calm and relieve a tired mind and body.
National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability: The NCHPAD is a public health practice and resource center on health promotion for people with disabilities.
View the updated physical activity guidelines from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Family Care
CHILD CARE AT UW // resources for UW Medicine employees
See UW child care and caregiving resources on our work-life website here. If you want to sign up to receive childcare support updates, join the listserv here.
ELDER CARE // referrals, short-term care and other resources
WA EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM // resources for PEBB-eligible UW employees
The Washington Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP) supports PEBB-eligible University of Washington employees and their household members to help identify and resolve personal concerns to promote individual and workplace wellbeing.
Services include counseling, legal advice, financial counseling and education, family support, and resources for supervisors.
LACTATION STATIONS // spaces across campus, medical centers, and UW offices
The UW provides private, secure, and clean lactation stations to support nursing mothers in buildings across campus, at the medical centers, and other UW offices.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PACKET // starting guide for family resources and policies
There are many resources available for families through the University of Washington. Whether you are starting a family or joining us from elsewhere, you may have questions beyond these resources. The family friendly packet makes it easier for you to get the information you need about leave policies, promotion clock extension, childcare, sick childcare, elder care, and more.
HOW TO FIND A PCP IN SEATTLE // connect with a UW Medicine provider
Find a primary care provider on the UW Medicine “find a provider” page.