liveWELL : SUPPORTING WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH
UI Employee Assistance Program, UI Work-Life, and UI Wellness, together support University of Iowa's faculty and staff in promoting a healthy campus culture through personal and workplace strategies.
2024 Personal Health Assessment highlights:
48% of employees completed the Personal Health Assessment (10,089 people)
52.6% said they are thriving (compared to 51.1% nationally) 80% said their physical space supports their well-being
87% said their supervisor supports their well-being
People who say they are thriving tend to make healthy choices and face fewer challenges at work. liveWELL offers programs for all stages of the well-being journey.
FINANCIAL WELL-BEING
Since 2021, financial stress among faculty and staff has risen by 10%. In the most recent Personal Health Assessment (PHA), 39% of employees said financial stress makes it hard to focus at work. Of those who feel this stress, 63% said they are struggling or suffering in their overall wellbeing. That’s why programs that support financial health are a top priority for our campus.
ASSISTANCE: EMERGENCY
HARDSHIP FUND
The Emergency Hardship Fund is a partnership between UI EAP and UI Work-Life. It gives financial help to eligible employees who face unexpected emergencies or crises. In FY25, 79 employees received awards. 94% said the support improved their personal well-being.
COACHING: HILLS BANK
79 employees funded
57
Iowa Health Care employees (72%)
22
Non-healthcare employees (28%)
In fall 2024, UI Work-Life started a new partnership with Hills Bank. Employees now have access to:
• Free one-on-one coaching
• Webinars
• Online tools to improve financial knowledge
In the first six months:
53 employees met with a coach
80% said they learned something new or useful
"I was very nervous about connecting (with a financial coach), (but) I left feeling optimistic about a situation that only provided gloom before.”
UI Employee
HABITS: YNAB PILOT
In July 2024, UI Work-Life launched a six-month pilot of the You Need A Budget (YNAB) app with 27 employees from the Division of Student Life. 92% said their money management skills and financial well-being improved. Participants asked for structured learning opportunities.
A second phase began on June 23, 2025 with a new 8-week education class. 150 employees are engaging in this pilot program.
SUPPORTING OUR
In the 2024 Personal Health Assessment, 55% of University of Iowa employees reported that “too much to do” was a barrier to getting work done. liveWELL is committed to offering easyto-access services that build a caring campus community. We offer crisis support, short-term counseling, health coaching, and encourage a culture where coworkers check in on each other.
SHORT TERM COUNSELING: UI EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The UI EAP has supported our campus since 1970. EAP follows a “no reason too small” approach and serves more than 20,000 employees. Services include:
• Individual, family, and relationship support
• Crisis, financial and educational programming
• Referrals to other services, including the UI Support and Crisis Line and Wellmark’s Doctor on Demand
HEALTH COACHING:
GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL
liveWELL Health Coaches help employees make lasting changes to improve their health and well-being. Coaches work with employees to:
• Set personal goals
• Use their strengths
447 individuals supported in Health Coaching
• Find strategies that work
• Celebrate progress
91% said they are still practicing healthy behaviors 6 months later
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
PEER SUPPORT: R U OK?
The R U OK? program helps employees:
97% reported their well-being improved
• Notice when someone may be struggling
• Start a caring conversation
• Offer support and encourage action
The program was brought to campus by the WellBeing and Mental Health Campus Collaborative, in collaboration with the UI EAP and campus partners. Training and materials are available for all employees, including supervisors, staff, and faculty.
2,393 participants
2,226 sessions
95% likely to recommend UI EAP to friends
"Working with my health coach, Jenny, was a great experience. She helped me focus on what I wanted to improve and how I could most effectively do so. One of the resources she shared was a strengths assessment. It turned out to be perhaps the most insightful tools that I’ve ever used. It really allowed me to focus on my purpose. Since then, I’ve seen a lot of improvements and I’m happier for it. I would highly recommend working with a health coach.”
Brian Smith
Office of Patient Experience
UI SUPPORT AND CRISIS LINE
This 24/7 support line is a partnership between the Iowa City CommUnity Crisis Center and the University of Iowa. Faculty and staff have access to trained crisis counselors who understand University of Iowa resources.
Call or text 844-461-5420 any time—day or night, weekends, or holidays. Help is always available.
SUPPORTING OUR
c p cultu
By expanding well-being programs, liveWELL helps promote a healthier campus community. These programs raise awareness and connect people with services that matter to them. Over the past year, more than half of UI faculty and staff participated in at least one well-being program.
20,739
Total interactions with liveWELL Services
12,165
Unique faculty & staff served
95% said their well-being improved after using liveWELL services
WORKSITE WELLNESS PROGRAMS
1 IN 2
faculty & staff engaged in liveWELL services
Supporting population health programs fosters a workplace culture where employees feel empowered to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being for enhanced institutional impact.
WELLNESS GRANTS
35 grants funded
$12,673 provided to campus
4,166 impacted by grants
WELLNESS AMBASSADORS
140 Ambassadors representing 32 colleges and orgs
BUILDING HEALTHY HABITS
1,534 unique participants in challenge programs
1,213 people on average earned the rec membership incentive monthly
