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Sleep, Mental Health and Performance

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Think sleeping is an indulgence or a waste of your precious time?

The tide is turning on research that shows getting a good night’s sleep is better for cognitive functions and equally as important for your overall sense of well-being.  While the exact amount of sleep you need is genetic most people (90%) require between seven and eight hours of sleep per night.

Learn more about this and some tips for better sleeping from Dr. Guy Meadows here

Dal’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) can help you with personalized support at 1-800-387-4765 or workhealthlife.com

 

Quality of Work Life Survey: April 18 – May 5

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As in 2015, Dalhousie has launched the 2017 Quality of Work Life Survey, available Tuesday, April 18 and until end of day on Friday, May 5.

Dalhousie employees eligible to complete the survey will receive an email directly from Morneau Shepell, the survey provider, on April 18.

The QWL survey provides institutional results for the University and data for leaders specific to faculties and departments. It will include strengths, opportunities and recommendations for action. In addition, each person who completes the survey will immediately receive a personal health assessment with their overall Total Health score and scores across four pillars – mental, physical, life, workplace – along with recommendations on what they can do to make improvements.

Details of the 2017 QWL survey:

  • The survey is strictly confidential.
  • There will be fewer questions than in 2015, and the survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
  • The survey can be saved and completed at a later time.
  • There will be prizes available this year, including $50 gift cards, a one-night stay at the Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites and the grand prize of an iPad mini.
  • There will be online resources for employees to access related to their individual health reports, including the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

There is more information available on the HR site of myDal, located under Working at Dal, Workplace Survey. There you will find documents including, How to Register for QWL survey, QWL survey User Guide, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you have further questions about the survey they can email workplacesurvey@dal.ca.

The Pain Support Group

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Hello blog readers (and I hope you are out there!)

So, for a variety of reasons, I will admit to my personal skeptism about support groups.   However, from the exploration of resources for people with Pain,  I came to the understanding they can indeed have value.

Why do I say that? I very recently had my first experience as part of a support group (and I didn’t even know it was happening!).  To make a long story short, to prepare for the possibility of being directly involved with a group on campus, I attended a facilitators workshop for group leaders and a conference for health care professionals. I am still trying to digest what I learned and the stories that I heard!! One thing  stood out – it was a community effort. As the contributors were sharing, I could see a vision for a working support group unfold.

The support group leaders came from different backgrounds, experiences and geographic locations. Their individual and collective journeys of Chronic Pain filled with heartbreak and triumph, anger and frustration, gratitude and humor.  This strong group of leaders talked of issues with treatments, wait times, sleep, injury, relationships, careers, quality of life, stigma and more.  Some had great successes with their groups, some less so.  But I personally felt overwhelming support, warmth and welcome in the most non-judgmental way.  (Hmmm, maybe they are on to something here??)

After much careful thought and consideration and as a follow-up to the events taking place in November,  we (Dalhousie HR) are launching a support group for Chronic Pain. The group will be shaped much like the one that’s on-campus for Caregivers (See Today@Dal: http://www.dal.ca/news/2016/05/25/dal-recognizes-caregivers-with-appreciation-day.html ). A portion of the group’s time together will be sharing for constructive support, with the remainder allotted to a guest speaker to present on a relevant topic. Much of how the sessions evolve will depend on the group’s interests.  Confidentiality is expected by all  – a support group is a safe space.

Learn more and register at: https://events-tm.dal.ca/workshop.php?id=1901.

Work Well,

Angela

PS Check out the Enviromental Health and Safety Expo https://www.dal.ca/news/today/2016/10/24/2nd_annual_environmental_health___safety_expo.html.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working With Pain – On Campus Learning Events

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Hello all,

I’m super pleased to share the following learning event, being held on campus on November 2.  It is in partnership with the Dalhousie Pain Group and the Action Atlantic Pain Society.

Human Resources is conducting a learning session for faculty and staff facing challenges with Pain on November 2 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm in the Student Union Building, Room 224. Participants in this session will be presented with information and resources to better understand what pain is, how it may manifest in the body and options available to address the physical effects. Approaches for self-care and methods of coping will be discussed, as well as improving communication with health care providers. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the session leaders. The goal is to empower people with pain to make better decisions to better address obstacles.

For more information on the event and to register, please visit: https://events-tm.dal.ca/workshop.php?id=1825.

Keep watch for other events related to Pain Management, such as the Food-Pain connection, throughout the month of November.

Work Well,

Angela

Links: Dalhousie Pain Group: http://medicine.dal.ca/research/pain-group.html

Action Atllantic Pain Society: http://actionatlantic.blogspot.ca/

RESEARCH: Risk and Resilience in Children of Parents with Chronic Pain

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Hello –

I am starting to meet researchers, academics,  health care professionals and advocates in an effort to get a better understanding of the resources available for faculty and staff identifying as having Pain.  It is truly impressive to hear what work is being done by such a tremendenous group of leaders right here in Halifax and as part of Dalhousie.   It is also remarkable the dedication to the person as whole, not just the mechanics of the Pain and the desire to be part of the solution.  As a person with Pain, it gives me the greatest sense of hope.

So, on behalf of one research team in particular, I am happy to pass along the following information regarding a current study:

Risk and Resilience in Children of Parents with Chronic Pain:

Parents with chronic pain and their children, ages 8-15 years, are needed for an IWK Health Centre and Nova Scotia Health Authority study. The study involves one 90-minute visit to their research centre. Parents and children will be compensated for their participation and travel expenses. Call or email to learn more! (902) 470-6906 or CPPRWest@IWK.nshealth.ca

More information is also available on this website:  http://pediatric-pain.ca/participate-in-research/.

Work Well,

Angela

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