The Equal Opportunity and Compliance office wrapped up its 2019 Empowering Carolina Spring Seminar Tuesday, April 2. The program, hosted by the EOC Office and Accessibility Resources and Service Office, focused on Mental Health and Wellness. It was a topic many who attended our fall Empowering Carolina session about Mental Health wanted to continue talking about. The program garnered more interest than ever before – with over 250 people registering. Interim Chancellor Kevin Gusukiewicz kicked off the event, which included a report on the Mental Health Task force, and overview of the Mental Health First Aid program and the unveiling of the new Count Me In campaign, promoting the voluntary self-Identification of disabilities. It also featured a panel discussion with a number of campus support options and resources for mental health followed by a lively question and answer session. The event concluded with Vice Chancellor Felicia Washington giving closing statements.
Empowering Carolina, which launched in spring 2016, is a series of campus programs held throughout the year to raise awareness of resources for individuals with disabilities and to celebrate disabilities as part of diversity.
View pictures from the event.
View video from the event.
Panelist Information:
Accessibility Resources and Service:
Panelist: Simon Bloor, simon.bloor@unc.edu
Through ARS, The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill seeks to meet the individual needs of applicants and current students with disabilities and medical conditions by coordinating and implementing appropriate accommodations and providing resources and services as they relate to academics, residences, dining and co and extra-curricular campus activities. For more information, contact Tiffany Bailey at tmbailey@email.unc.edu.
ARS also functions as a source of information, educational outreach and advice, as well as a communication link among individuals with disabilities, faculty and staff, outside agencies, and the community at large.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS):
Panelist: Wendy Kadens, wbkadens@email.unc.edu
CAPS offers a variety of services including brief individual psychotherapy, group therapy, medication management, community referrals, couples therapy, and academic intervention. For more information, contact visit the CAPS website.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
Panelist: Tricia Mahoney, tmahoney@compsych.com
The EAP is a confidential counseling and resource program that is designed to help University employees and their families deal with both personal and work-related concerns. All permanent employees and their dependents are eligible. The benefit is also available to former employees for up to six months after leaving the University. The EAP is a free service to eligible employees. Trained counselors are available by phone 24 hours a days, seven days a week through the University’s EAP offered by ComPsych. You or your family members may call the EAP at any time at 877-314-5841.
Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office (EOC):
Panelist: Rudy Jones, rudy_jones@unc.edu
The EOC Office is UNC-CH’s central office for addressing issues related to discrimination and harassment, as well as compliance with relevant education and employment laws and regulations. The EOC Office also helps when reasonable accommodations are needed to help empower employees to excel in their positions. EOC staff members can meet with you to provide information about disability or religious accommodations, available modifications or changes, and the process for requesting these accommodations. For more information, contact the Director of Equal Opportunity and ADA Coordinator, Tiffany Bailey.
UNC Mental Health Coalition:
Panelist: Emma Caponigro, emmacap@live.unc.edu
The UNC Mental Health Coalition was created out of the Mental Health Task Force of UNC Student Government. It brings together the leadership of all mental health organizations on campus, including undergraduate and graduate groups, through monthly meetings and a listserv to promote collaboration and transparency between groups. Below are some of the student groups that participate in the Mental Health Coalition with a description of their niche in the mental health community. Please email uncmentalhealthtf@gmail.com with any questions.
Work-Life Wellness:
Panelist: Jessica Pyjas, Jessica_pyjas@unc.edu
The Work-Life Wellness department oversees employee perks and discounts, the childcare scholarship contract, departmental awards and employee wellness programs. For more information about the programs, visit the Work-Life Wellness website or contact Jessica Pyjas at jessica_pyjas@unc.edu or 919-962-6008.