UW Oshkosh values the health and overall well-being of its employees. The university supports each staff and faculty member’s quest to become an overall healthier individual by providing access to wellness programs that encompass all dimensions of well-being.
Know that you are not alone and as a university we seek to provide support in the best ways possible.
UWO Resources
Employee Assistance Program: For all aspects of wellness assistance. Dial 833-539-7285 (TTY: 877-334-0489)
Title IX: Discrimination and sexual misconduct information and reporting for staff and students
Bystander Intervention Training: for learning effective intervention in unsafe or unhealthy situations
Campus Accessibility: resources for accessibility services
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Resources and involvement opportunities
Risk and Safety: Occupational safety, ergonomics and more
The Red Zone: resources for preventing sexual assault within initial six weeks of academic year
UWO Go: non-emergency safe ride service
UWO Mobile App: campus resources and safety tools
Crisis Hotlines
Mental & Behavioral Crisis Lifeline
800-273-8255 or text ‘HOME’ to 741741,
or Chat
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233 (TTY: 800-787-3224)
or Text ‘LOVEIS’ to 866-331-9474
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-8255, text ‘HOME’ to 741741,
or Chat
Veteran Crisis Line
800-273-8255, press 1, text 838255, or Chat
National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-4673
or Chat with the Online Hotline
Psychiatric Emergency:
Calling 911 is Courageous
Inform operator it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for police officers trained in crisis intervention
LGBT National Hotline
888-843-4564 or Chat
LGBT National Senior Hotline
888-234-7243
The Trevor Project
For immediate support, call 1-866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline
Connect to support, and resources
877-565-8860
Find support resources all in one place: Resilient Wisconsin from DHS
UWO On-Going Activities
Check out the opportunities that occur throughout each year that all employees can participate in. Additional one-time challenges are independently announced via email. Watch regularly for announcements regarding wellness opportunities.
Gardening Program
Join other interested employees in assisting to enhance the beautification of the university (Oshkosh, Fox Valley, and Fond du Lac).
This voluntary program includes activities such as dead heading plants, weeding designated areas, seed collection, planting, and dividing plants.
When and Where?
- Program runs May through October, weather permitting
- Opportunities are available on all three campuses
What is the Program About?
- Gaining knowledge of plants around campus and how they thrive
- Getting out of the office for a little sun and exercise
- Socialization if you are working with others
- Improve mood by spending time with nature
More information can be found in the Gardening Program Guidelines.
Come learn the battle cry – Sign up here to participate!
Have questions?
Contact volunteer coordinator and trained gardener, Lisa Mick (mickl@uwosh.edu), to learn what to expect.
Wellness Incentive Eligible – if you are enrolled in State Group Health you are eligible to claim participation in the Gardening Program as an Employer Sponsored Activity event. To obtain the required code, Human Resources will work with the Gardening Program Coordinator, Lisa Mick, to ensure participation. You will be emailed the required code at the end of each August.
Sponsor: Workplace Wellness is collaborating with volunteer coordinator, Lisa Mick from the Grounds Department.
Healthy Titans Fitness Program
Healthy Titans is a wellness program that is open to all University of Wisconsin Oshkosh employees, significant others, and retirees. Our program offers access to the Albee Strength and Fitness Center, group exercise classes and personal training with our student fitness specialists. We offer a variety of group exercise classes (in-person and virtual) including yoga, Total Titan (full body workout), group cycling, TRX & more! Please reach out to Healthy Titans Director Kate Harrell with questions (harrellk@uwosh.edu).
Find out more about this amazing opportunity here!
Wellness Incentive Eligible – if you are enrolled in State Group Health you are eligible to claim participation in the Healthy Titans Fitness Program as an Employer Sponsored Activity event. You will be emailed the required code prior to the required submission deadline.
STEP-IT-UP Program
This is a 10-week program designed around creating a habit of movement. It’s not all about walking so we are tracking our movement by converting stretching/exercise and other activities into steps. The idea is to get that habit of movement started. Not only do we track our movement, we offer half-hour discussion meets to help you along the way. We also offer encouragement through giveaways.
Watch for future opportunities. We try to do the program in the winter and summer months. Look forward to you joining us!
Wellness Incentive Eligible – if you are enrolled in State Group Health you are eligible to claim participation in the STEP IT UP Program as an Employer Sponsored Activity event. You will be emailed the required code at the end of the program.
Photo credit: Left to Right, Top to Bottom – Kelly Johnson, Julie Meyer, Alyssa Bolante, Nicole Richter-Smith
UWO Community Engagement
There are many ways that UWO engages the community around us. Check out some activities, trainings, and events that may be happening right at your door.
- Oshkosh Community Events: https://www.uwosh.edu/community-and-visitors/
- Fox Cities Community Events: https://www.uwosh.edu/fox/community/
- Fond du Lac Campus Community Events: https://www.uwosh.edu/fdl/community/
UW System-Wide Activities
Visit the wellness opportunities available across UW System.
America Saves Week
America Saves Week is held at the end of every February.
The University of Wisconsin is committed to promoting financial wellness by helping you plan and achieve your savings goals. The University is proud to be a participant of America Saves Week and offer events across the UW System at no cost to you!
You can find more information and sign up for the free America Saves webinars here.
Well Wisconsin & Wellness Incentive
Access the Well Wisconsin WebMD Portal here. Use the code SOWI to sign up to gain access to the portal. You will not need the code after you have created the account.
Watch the Well Wisconsin Portal Demonstration here.
Need assistance navigating the portal? Contact the WebMD HelpLine at 800.821.6591 or CustomerSupport@webmd.net
Well Wisconsin is the uniform wellness program offered as part of the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program. This program is voluntary and provided at no cost to you and your spouse, if enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program. The program offers resources that can help you maintain/improve your current state of well-being and/or help lower your health risks/costs. There is also a monetary incentive to you (and your spouse) if enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program.
More information regarding the Well Wisconsin Program, including protection of personal health information, can be found on the UW System Well Wisconsin Program page.
Meet with a Health Coach
It’s Free! Health coaching can provide you with the guidance you are looking for around nutrition, mental health, physical activity, work/life balance and more. Check out the health coaching available through WebMD by logging into the WebMD portal today.
$150 Wellness Incentive
Well Wisconsin allows you and your spouse (if enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program) to each earn an annual $150 incentive. To earn this incentive, you and your spouse must each complete a health check activity, health assessment and one WebMD well-being activity (by mid-October*).
Employer Activities that Count towards the activity portion of the Wellness Incentive:
- Gardening Program – on-going May – October – active participants will receive code
- Healthy Titans Fitness Program – on-going Jan – Dec – active participants will receive code
Details on the wellness incentive requirements and more information provided by Well Wisconsin can be found on the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) Well Wisconsin page or via the UW System Well Wisconsin Program page.
*Check the WebMD portal for the deadline each year and/or for additional information regarding the Well Wisconsin Incentive.
Well Wisconsin Radio Podcasts - Open to All Employees
Well Wisconsin Radio Podcasts provides an opportunity to learn from professionals around the state on various health and wellness topics.
And guess what!? It’s open to all employees. You do not need to be enrolled in the State health plan to listen.
New podcasts are offered each month. Click on the ETF Well Wisconsin link below for topics!
ETF Well Wisconsin for Members
Note: If you are enrolled in the State health plan and are participating in the Well Wisconsin incentive, you can use an episode as one of your required activities. A code will be provided when you watch the episode that you will need to report in the WebMD portal.
Community Support Resources
All throughout the Fox Valley area, including down to the City of Fond du Lac, are community resources and support available to employees in crisis or need. Do not hesitate to reach out. Below are just a few organizations designed to help and serve you within our community.
General All Around Support
- 211– connects individuals with thousands of nonprofits and government agencies in their area based on their needs. Individuals can visit the website or call 2-1-1.
- UW Extension: Financial Resources– Managing Your Personal Finances in Tough Times; resources for free financial counseling, steps to take if individuals are struggling to make payments, and links to resources for requesting unemployment benefits, food assistance, childcare, paying utilities, and more.
- LEAVEN– assists with basic needs, including financial, and high-risk prevention in the Fox Valley area; 920.738.9635, Mon-Fri 9-4
- Salvation Army– provides food and basic needs pantry, financial assistance and more; call 920.923.8220; located at 237 N Macy St, Fond du Lac
- ADVOCAP, Inc.– provides affordable housing services, emergency food, training, transportation; Fond du Lac – 800.631.7760 or 920.922.7760; Oshkosh – 920.426.0150; Neenah – 920.725.2791
- Oshkosh Area United Way – resources for financial stability, childhood development, mental health, basic needs drive, and more; 920.235.8560; oauw@oshkoshunitedway.org; 21 W New York Ave, Oshkosh
Food Pantries