mental health
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
employee assistance program
Be Well at Work is run by UC Berkeley Health Services and also serves Berkeley Lab employees.
The Employee Assistance Program provides no cost confidential counseling and referral for Berkeley Lab employees. The program is available to employees, and their families and dependents. The services are completely voluntary and there is no fee for services.
Employee Assistance offers support in a wide range of issues, including: work-related stress, relationship/couples issues, child and teenager problems, depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems, grief and loss, alcohol, drug and other addictions, elder and dependent adult care and consultations and training services for faculty and staff management.
Be Well at Work Work/Life delivers programs and services to support LBL staff with integrating work and home life at any stage, including around personal and family obligations, parenting resources and support groups.
Now more than ever mental health is an important part of our lives and the lives of those we love and care for. If you’re looking for community based resources this list, from EAP, has local services, counseling centers, and hotlines.
health insurance benefits
Mental health and physical health go hand in hand, so UC’s medical coverage includes behavioral health benefits for mental health services and substance abuse treatment. Members can use their behavioral health benefits for sessions with counselors, psychologists or psychiatrists to address issues such as depression and anxiety, alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, or medication management.
UC Behavioral Health Benefits (Kaiser, Healthnet, Anthem etc.)
other resources
Health Services offers a series of clinical programs and services that are available to the benefit of Berkeley Lab employees as well as in support of Berkeley Lab research projects. These include exams and assessments, convenient care, first aid and wellness, and worker assistance and accommodation.
Health Services’ hours of operation are from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm Monday – Friday.
Please contact Health Services at 510-486-6266.
Warm-lines & Support Services
California Peer-Run Warm Line - non-emergency resource for emotional support. 1-855-845-7415
California Friendship Line – serving older adults and caregivers. (888) 670-1360.
211.org - comprehensive source for local social service information: food, housing, health care and mental health care.
Berkeley Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team Voicemail: 510-981-5254 (press #).
Berkeley Mental Health Daytime Crisis Hotline: 510-981-5244
Oakland & East Bay Mobile Crisis: 510-891-5600
National Parent Helpline: 855-427-2736
National Maternal Mental Health Line - Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)
National Drug & Alcohol Abuse Hotline 1-800-662-43576
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in California - 800-839-1686
Are you looking for ways to improve handling the anxiety and stress of returning to the office? Have you found approaches that enhance your resilience around the challenges of hybrid work that you can share? Connect with fellow Berkeley Lab colleagues and join in on short facilitated discussions once every two weeks to share tips on being well throughout this challenging time. Hosted by the All Access ERG, the sessions will be roughly 30 minutes each, during the lunch hour every other Tuesday. Join us on Zoom!
For more information, contact the All Access Mental Health Initiative Co-chairs, Tom Gallant at tggallant@lbl.gov and Jean Sexton jmsexton@lbl.gov. This event is led by the All Access ERG Mental Health initiative.
Ongoing: Every two weeks, on Tuesday at 12:15 pm
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Their website has a wealth of resources about mental illness and support and education.
Mental Health Resources for veterans
If you're a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with a qualified Veterans Crisis Line responder for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. This service is private, free, and available 24/7.
Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.
Text 838255.
If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.
For additional resources, take a look at the VA suicide prevention website.