Welcome to DCHR's Employee Wellness Series which helps you go further.
Our wellness program offers a wide range of courses including fitness classes, mental health seminars, cooking demonstrations, and so much more.
These opportunities are available to all employees, regardless of title, position and grade.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Did you know that breast cancer and domestic violence may harm the physical and mental health of employees and their family members? This can negatively impact their access to employment, housing, and other basic needs and services. It is important for us to increase awareness by understanding how might breast cancer and domestic abuse affect employees. Gain guidance on how you can support through the resources provided by the District. Our wellness courses this month include Breast Cancer Awareness, Supporting Employees Experiencing Domestic Abuse, Understanding the Broken Heart Syndrome, Women and Depression, Women’s Health and more. For more information and resources, visit our Employee Wellness page.
Say no to flu! Protect yourself, as well as your family and friends, from influenza.
September is here and school is in session across Washington. We want our workforce to make a healthy choice, so we are bringing flu vaccines to you. In partnership with our healthcare vendors, the DC Department of Human Resources will host flu shot clinics for employees from September 26th to October 12th at eight DC Government sites.
Visit DCHR website to see the Flu Shot clinic locations for the 2023 flu season.
Check out our list of FREE upcoming wellness activities to help you create a healthy lifestyle:
Meditation Class: Reduce Anxiety and Stress
October 4, 2023 | 11:30AM - 12:00PM
As a tribute to every employee – from the directors of the agencies to the hardest working clerical staff – 11:30 am meditations are inspired to give your mind a little rest to rejuvenate and recharge.
Each 30-minute meditation helps relax the entire body, including the brain, the nervous system, and the heart’s blood pressure. Gentle slow breaths also nurture the immune system and lower rates of anxiety and depression.
Build a Routine! Occurs every Wednesday
Spanish Class with Profesora Harrison and Nina Jones
October 4, 2023 | 12:30PM - 1:30PM
Enhance your language skills with elementary and intermediate level Spanish. Learn basic Spanish oral and written communication skills.
Build a Routine! Occurs every Wednesday
Take 10 to Thrive!
October 10, 2023 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Fun, simple, and effective ten-minute bursts of exercise to take you through your day. Incorporating muscle warm-up, cardio, strength, core training, flexibility, and soothing stretching.
Well Talk: Domestic Violence
October 10, 2023 | 1:00PM - 2:00PM
Domestic violence is a national health concern with significant negative impacts on individuals, families, and communities. This training will highlight the impact and signs of domestic violence (particularly in the workplace) and provide resources on how to support victims of domestic violence while empowering domestic violence survivors.
Breast Cancer Awareness
October 11, 2023 | 1:00PM - 2:00PM
Provides an overview of breast cancer, and the effectiveness of early detection and prevention screening. and treatment alternatives for breast cancer.
Women and Depression
October 12, 2023 | 12:30PM - 1:30PM
Discuss the ways that depression affects women. Learn levels and types of depression, and methods to cope with acute and chronic depression.
Mindful Mondays: Finding More Margin in Your Day
October 16, 2023 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Learn tips to lessen time stress, create healthier boundaries, and build more self-care and downtime into their day.
Understanding Alcohol Use and Misuse
October 17, 2023 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM
This presentation will take a closer look at facts to know about alcohol use and misuse, the reasons why people choose to drink, the potential health concerns associated with over drinking and understanding when it is time to seek help.
Well-Being Wednesdays: Women's Health
October 18, 2023 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Learn more about women’s top health issues including breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, and pregnancy. Get information on screening treatment alternatives and tips for early detection and prevention.
Understanding Vaping
October 18, 2023 | 1:00PM - 2:00PM
This presentation will cover the basics of vaping and E-cigarettes. Specifically, the presentation will cover the differences between E-cigarettes and vapes, identify health risks related to usage, the effects these products have on young children, and identify if your child or a loved one is using these products. We will also provide cessation resources to help you or a loved one break the habit.
Championing Women’s Health at Work
October 18, 2023 | 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Women make up about 57% of the workforce. Their good health leads to improved performance and supports a business’s bottom line. Yet many women face barriers that cause them to delay routine care and wait to address health concerns. Join business leaders for a panel discussion and live Q&A to:
- Understand why women wait to get care
- Learn how to create a work culture that enhances women’s health
- Walk away with effective solutions to support women in your workforce and strengthen the health of your business
Ready to Quit: Tips for Smoking and Tobacco Cessation
October 24, 2023 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM
For people who smoke or use tobacco or tobacco products, there are several different triggers. However, for each person it is different. Do you know your psychological reasons for smoking or using tobacco? One of the first steps to smoking is to know when and why you use tobacco so that you can start to create strategies to overcome that habit.
Join this session to:
- Identify the underlying reasons that cause an individual to use tobacco products
- Recognize the obstacles to quitting
- Apply tips for creating a personalized tobacco-free plan
- Discuss who and what can help
Managing and Supporting Employees Experiencing Domestic Abuse
October 25, 2023 | 1:00PM - 2:00PM
The World Health Organization has described domestic abuse as "a global public health problem of epidemic proportions, requiring urgent action." Statistics published by the WHO report that one in three women will experience domestic abuse in their lives. Contrary to the belief of many, employers have a duty of care and crucial role to play in helping staff who are victims of domestic abuse, particularly as domestic abuse is about control, and a workplace may be the one place that an individual would come to where they are on their own and able to gain support and guidance.
Join this session to:
- Understand domestic abuse and how might it affect employees
- Dispel myths related to it
- Consider responsibilities as an employer and gain guidance on how managers can acknowledge their responsibility to help address domestic abuse in the workplace
- Learn how to support an employee in need
Understanding Broken Heart Syndrome
October 26, 2023 | 12:30PM - 1:30PM
When we think of a broken heart, we may immediately think about our own experiences or stories from movies, but we may not think of it as an actual physical problem. A real-life broken heart can actually lead to cardiac consequences called broken heart syndrome. Broken heart syndrome is a temporary heart condition that's often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The condition can also be triggered by a serious physical illness or surgery. People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they're having a heart attack. It can affect part of the heart, temporarily disrupting the heart's functioning. In this session, we will explore broken heart syndrome and its impacts on our body as well as how we can prevent it from happening.
Join this session to:
- Understand broken heart syndrome and some facts about it
- Know what it feels like and what it does to your body
- Know what happens if broken heart syndrome is left untreated
- Learn what you can do to prevent broken heart syndrome
Check Out Additional October Wellness Resources
Workforce Health Learning Circle: Women’s Health (October 10, 1pm EST) Register Now
Empowering Minds, Changing Lives: Championing Mental Health Rights Online Seminar (World Mental Health Day) (Available Starting October 10) Access Now
Women's Health Learn More
Breast Cancer Learn More
Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis Learn More
Health Benefits of Meditation Learn More
Adult Immunization Schedule Learn More
Mindful Mondays Webinar Series Learn More
Wellbeing Wednesdays Webinar Series Learn More
Other Resources