Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is a free, voluntary and confidential service provided by ComPsych® Guidance Resources®. It provides employees, retirees and their household members with assessments, consultations and referrals to resources.
The EAP is designed to assist you in dealing with a wide variety of personal concerns, including:
- Emotional Support
- Work and Lifestyle Support
- Legal Guidance
- Financial Resources
- Wellness Support
The EAP offers counseling services up to six sessions per person, per issue. If a referral for additional services or treatment is necessary, EAP counselors will help employees locate services that are convenient, appropriate, and affordable. Counselors are licensed healthcare professionals including psychologists, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists.
You can consult with an EAP representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1-866-365-0829 or visiting guidanceresources.com (current employees may contact HR for an employer code).
Wellness
The 2025 UMS Wellness Website is available and contains links to the EAP, Omada, the Cigna Wellness site, answers Level 1 and Level 2 questions, and more. Please note that this updated website replaces the traditional Wellness Guide.
Overview of Level 1 and Level 2 Incentives
Upcoming Wellness Events
The following events are all approved for Level 2 credit.
Self-Reporting Instructions:
Complete the Release and Assumption of Risk form linked in the event description, take a picture of yourself (and your spouse or domestic partner if applicable), and email both to usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu. We’ll do the rest and make sure that your information is submitted to our benefits team for level 2 credit.
| Event | Date | Location & Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pickleball | Mondays & Wednesdays, 12 – 1 p.m. | Drop in for a game of pickleball, every Monday & Wednesday from 12 – 1 p.m. in the Costello Sports Complex Fieldhouse on the Gorham campus. Complete a Risk & Release of Liability form prior to completing this event and email it to usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu. |
| Memorial Ruck Event | April 11, 2025 | In memory of our University of Southern Maine students, this event will also include a display of the Honor Case, a light lunch after the walk/run and the opportunity to screen a 25-minute film. The ruck starts in the McGoldrick Center and carries on to the Back Bay for a 5-mile ruck. Kick off time is 9:30 a.m. and ends at approximately 12 p.m. Stay tuned for more details and the opportunity to register! Please be sure to complete a Risk & Release of Liability form prior to completing this event. |
| University of Southern Maine faculty & staff softball team | Exact dates TBD with a tentative kick-off in early May. | Enjoy this fun activity and get out and play ball! More details forthcoming. Risk and Release Form |
| Level 2-approved hikes/walks | May 1 – November 30, 2025 | Choose from any of the Southern Maine Eastern Trails—Thorncrag Sanctuary (Lewiston), Lewiston/Auburn Riverwalk, Cherry Hill Farm (Gorham), Shaw Park (Gorham), Indian Cellar Preserve (Hollis), Robinson Woods Preserve (Cape Elizabeth), or Indoor Wellness Walking (Sullivan and Costello Complexes). New this year is the Back Bay walking trail in Portland and the Portland Trails Network. Walking trails and hikes outside of the approved list are excluded from the USM level 2 incentive. Please reach out to the UMS Benefits team at wellness@maine.edu to inquire about possible approval of other walks/trails. Please be sure to complete these two steps to earn level 2 credit: 1. Complete a Risk & Release of Liability form prior to completing this event and email it to usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu. 2. Follow the self-reporting instructions above. |
| TrestleTree Webinars | New webinar events just released | Exercising for Strength and Flexibility Thursday, March 20, 2 – 3 p.m. EST Register here Quick and Cost-Conscious Meal Ideas Wednesday, June 25, 6 – 7 p.m. EST Register here The Importance of Sleep Tuesday, September 16, 2 – 3 p.m. EST Register here Proven Stress Management Techniques Monday, November 17, 6 – 7 p.m. EST Register here No Release Form required. There are multiple dates and times available to fit your schedule! Be sure to check out the 6 p.m. webinars, which offer added flexibility and the opportunity to invite a spouse or domestic partner to join you. |
| Annual Fall Rucking Event | TBA | Join us for community and a cookout directly following the Ruck. Stay tuned for more details. Risk and Release Form |
| Annual USM Hikes Bradbury Mountain | TBA | Check in is from 9 – 9:30 a.m. Complete a Risk & Release of Liability form prior to completing this event and email it to usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu. Bradbury Mountain directions. |
Release & Assumption of Risk Form is required for all Level 2 activities
All Level 2-approved activities require a completed Release and Assumption of Risk Form (also linked in the descriptions of the events above), excluding the TrestleTree webinars. Please fill out the form completely and send to usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu or, if applicable, hand to the onsite contact at group events.
For those faculty and staff that may be participating with a spouse or domestic partner who is also seeking Level 2 credit, please be sure to use your employee ID on their form.
Please note that to receive credit for offsite events, such as our Pineland Farms Snowshoeing event and our USM Hikes Bradbury Mountain event, you must check in with the onsite contact during the announced check-in time. We are no longer able to provide incentive credit for late arrivals.
Additional Wellness Activities & Programs
These activities/programs can also help you achieve Level 2 credit!
Have you been participating in an activity that you think may qualify you for level 2 credit?
Email wellness@maine.edu and inquire!
Wellness Committee
- Katie Andrews, Financial Analyst, Finance and Administration
- Zorica Andric, Administrative Specialist, Student Affairs
- Cathy Clements, Administrative Support Supervisor, Office of Admissions
- Renee Cote, Project Specialist, Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Impact
- Lisa Eddy, Project Manager, Human Resources and Workforce Development
- Amy Geren, Policy Associate, Cutler Institute
- Natalie Jones, Vice President, Human Resources and Workforce Development
- Kevin Normand, Wellness Champion and Assistant Director for Fitness and Wellness, Athletics
- Lorrie Spaulding, Director, Military Affiliated Student Hub (MASH)
Collaborators
- Amy Cobb, TrestleTree Health Coach
- Outdoor Adventures Board (OAB) – Facebook and Instagram: @oab.usm
Questions?
UMS Wellness: wellness@maine.edu
Employee Benefits Center: benefits@maine.edu or 207-973-3372.
Questions about USM-specific wellness events should be emailed to the USM Wellness committee: usmwellnesscommittee@maine.edu.