Duke offers resources to bolster employee mental health

In a year marked by personal upheaval, Karen Fernando faced multiple challenges after relocating to North Carolina. Recently separated and starting a new job at the Duke Cancer Center’s Brain Tumor Clinic, she felt overwhelmed in a new environment. To regain stability, she turned to Duke’s Personal Assistance Service (PAS), which offers free short-term counseling for staff and their families. With the help of Senior Counselor Laurie Kovens, Karen navigated her emotional struggles and discovered wellness resources available at Duke.

This May, in observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, Duke University emphasizes its commitment to employee mental and emotional well-being. Duke provides various resources, such as no-cost counseling through PAS and wellness initiatives from LIVE FOR LIFE, its employee wellness program. According to Nichole Capitanio, Director of PAS, employees have different needs for emotional support, making it essential to offer diverse resources.

Duke’s Personal Assistance Service has been a crucial resource, providing up to eight free counseling sessions for staff, faculty, and immediate family members. In the last fiscal year, PAS conducted 6,847 counseling sessions for 2,137 clients, both numbers reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year. The most common issues addressed included emotional concerns, marital and family relationships. After attending counseling, 85% of clients reported improvements in their problems, while 78% felt better equipped to cope with their challenges. Capitanio stresses that seeking help does not require being in crisis; even minor concerns warrant attention.

In addition to counseling, Duke offers pet therapy through its Pets at Duke program, which has gained popularity since its expansion in 2024. Staff and faculty can interact with therapy dogs like Lizzie, a yellow Labrador retriever, to alleviate stress. One staff member, James Stroud, found comfort after losing his own dog, stating that spending time with Lizzie significantly improved his mood during a difficult time. Research indicates that interacting with pets can lower cortisol levels and enhance overall well-being.

Duke also addresses stress management through the “Success Over Stress” program, which has shifted to a more accessible format. Instead of overwhelming participants with a long list of resources, the program now sends regular, bite-sized emails with stress-management tips tailored to individual work locations. Previously, only one or two staff members enrolled each month; this figure has increased to 50-70 new sign-ups monthly, reflecting a national trend of rising stress levels. A 2024 Gallup study found that nearly half of Americans frequently experience stress. Participants in the program report a 90% reduction in stress levels within three months of engagement.

Mindfulness practices are another resource available to Duke staff. Bridgette Un Cha Song, a Staff Assistant at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, dedicates time each week to participate in LIVE FOR LIFE’s Mindful Moment and Mindful Movement sessions. These 15-minute webinars focus on breath awareness, gratitude meditation, and simple movements to foster relaxation. Attendance ranges from 40 to 65 participants per session, with many attendees noting the positive impact on their stress levels and overall mental state. Research from the National Institutes of Health supports the benefits of mindfulness practices in reducing anxiety and improving sleep.

Duke’s commitment to mental health resources during uncertain times provides essential support for its staff and faculty. By offering accessible counseling, pet therapy, stress management programs, and mindfulness sessions, the university fosters a healthier work environment, encouraging employees to prioritize their mental well-being. As more individuals seek support, initiatives like those at Duke demonstrate the importance of addressing mental health proactively in the workplace.