Faculty/Staff - NMU Events and Announcements

Faculty/Staff

Whether you're brand new, have been here forever, or somewhere in between, if you are eligible for benefits, NMU is providing EAP Benefits for you and your family at no cost to you.  We had been serviced by Northstar EAP for years, but when they were acquired in April, ESI became our carrier.  As a much larger organization, ESI is able to provide services that Northstar was not.  

• ESI has professional, licensed counselors that answer the phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and can provide in-the-moment support
• ESI provides FREE Peak Performance Coaching in 18 categories.  Their most popular class is Certified Financial Coaching!
• ESI has Personal Research Assistants to help you gather information and options regarding a variety of topics
• Talkspace Go is an app with a monthly cost of $29, but is FREE through ESI.  It offers over 400 self-guided courses, more than 300 on-demand courses, live webinars, and more.  Sign up for free by downloading the app, creating an account, and saying YES to having a code from an organization.  NMU's code is ESIEAP
• Lifestyle Savings Benefits like discounts on products and travel!

Like Northstar, ESI also offers 8 counseling sessions per year.  Sessions are available virtually or in-person depending on your preference.  

Learn all about ESI's robust offerings by viewing this 30 minute video presented by NMU's local Account Manager, Joe Gaffney.

Call 800-252-4555 ANY TIME to connect with ESI and to take advantage of these amazing FREE and CONFIDENTIAL benefits.

Faculty/Staff

The 3rd quarter issue of the Personal Best/Hope Health Newsletter has arrived.  Please take a moment for yourself to read and enjoy this issue, and remember to share it with your family members!  Of interest in this issue:  

• Exercise with a Splash
• Unit Pricing & Grocery Shopping School for Teens
• Say Goodbye to Grudges
• Coping with Humidity
• And MUCH more!

You may also find this issue and previous months on the HR mental health and wellness resources site.  Be sure to scroll all the way down the page to the Additional Resources section. While you’re on the site, check out the wide range of wellbeing resources available to you!

Faculty/Staff

Talkspace Go is a FREE & CONFIDENTIAL resource available to NMU employees and their families through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), ESI.  

Check out this month’s topics designed to improve your mental health and wellbeing! These live, online group classes are therapist-led, anonymous and free.

There are new classes every month covering a broad range of topics related to work, family, relationships, and mental health.

Simply review the classes, decide which you may want to take, and register for the classes in advance through the Talkspace Go app. Or simply sign on to the app on the date and time of the classes to join.

• Don’t yet have the app? Download it for free from the Apple App store or Google Play
• Sign up and create an account
• Enter your organization’s code: ESIEAP
• Once registered, review the calendar, and click the links for the classes that you want to take

July Classes

• Parenting to Your Kid's Personality
• Managing Your Social Anxiety
• Breaking Your Negative Cycle
• What to do When Nothing Feels Good
• Healing Broken Trust
• AND MORE!

See the full class schedule and sign up using the QR code here.

Additional information on the EAP and Talkspace Go can be found at https://nmu.edu/hr/mental-health-wellness-resources.

Faculty/Staff

You're invited to a 30-minute Zoom session on Tuesday, June 17 at 3:30pm hosted by NMU's Employee Assistance Program - ESI.

NMU's dedicated ESI Account Executive, Marquette local Joe Gaffney, will be presenting the many free and confidential benefits available to you and your household dependents.

Please register in advance at: https://medmutual.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RYYfPmhZQhOvY3svL7AU8Q

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the presentation.  This session WILL BE recorded, so even if you can't join us live, please register to get a copy of the recording.

We hope to see you there!

Faculty/Staff

NMU is proud to introduce a NEW program developed by Hinge Health to support our members in Menopause!

Hinge Health is a musculoskeletal support program that is free to members on NMU's health insurance plan.  NMU's top areas of engagement have been in the Women's Pelvic Health, the Back, and the Neck programs since its launch in September 2021.  

NEW in 2025, Hinge Health is providing Menopause Care, which will also be free to NMU eligible employees and their spouses!

Take control of your menopause symptoms!

Joint pain, bone density changes, hot flashes, and embarrassing leaks.  Menopause symptoms are often overwhelming and unexpected.

Menopause Care by Hinge Health includes:

1. A virtual care plan that features personalized exercises, guided breathing, and educational articles.
2. Expert guidance from a physical therapist trained in menopause care.
3. A convenient app where you can access all of the above - anytime, anywhere.

Questions?  Call (855) 902-2777.

Sign up today! 

Faculty/Staff

Date: September 10th at 1:00pm EST

Presented by Hinge Health, "Ergonomics: making work a pleasure, not a pain" will dive into the science of workplace setup and how you can be more comfortable at work.  

3 things you will take away:

• How to set up your workspace if you sit all day

• How to set up your workspace if you stand all day

• Simple, gentle exercises you can do today to start reducing your pain

Register for the free webinar at hinge.health/register-september2025.

Learn more about Hinge Health - free to members on the NMU Medical Plan - and get started in reducing YOUR pain today.

Faculty/Staff

Date: August 13th at 1:00pm EST

Presented by Hinge Health, "Sleep & Pain: How to Stop the Pain Cycle" will dive into how ongoing back and joint pain may be impacting other areas of your health.

3 things you will take away:

- The importance of sleep

- The connection between sleep and pain

- How to harness the power of movement to break the cycle

Register for the free webinar at hinge.health/register-august2025.

Learn more about Hinge Health - free to members on the NMU Medical Plan - and get started in reducing YOUR pain today.

Faculty/Staff

Date: July 9th at 1:00pm EST

If you struggle with persistent back, joint, muscle, or pelvic pain, you know that pain can flare up even when you no longer have an active injury. But there are ways to reduce and get rid of this lingering pain, and you might be surprised how much your perception of pain is controlled by your brain. Presented by a Hinge Health expert physical therapist, this event will discuss the perception of pain and how to rebuild neural pathways to lessen feelings of pain and stiffness.

3 things you will take away from this event:

-How your brain affects your perception of pain

-Breakthroughs in neuroscience that establish the mind-body connection

-Tips and tricks to reduce pain and stiffness

Register for the free webinar at hinge.health/register-july2025.

Learn more about Hinge Health - free to members on the NMU Medical Plan - and get started in reducing YOUR pain today.

Faculty/Staff

Talkspace Go is a FREE & CONFIDENTIAL resource available to NMU employees and their families through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), ESI.  

You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one.  NMU's organization code is: ESIEAP

June Classes

• Managing Triggers at Work
• Coping with Parenting Guilt
• Creating a Successful Blended Family
• Managing your Anxiety
• Rebuilding Trust
• Early Warning Signs of Mental Illness in Youth
• AND MORE!

See the full class schedule and sign up using the QR code here.

Additional information on the EAP and Talkspace Go can be found at https://nmu.edu/hr/mental-health-wellness-resources.

Faculty/Staff

The 2nd quarter issue of the Personal Best/Hope Health Newsletter has arrived.  Please take a moment for yourself to read and enjoy this issue, and remember to share it with your family members!  Of interest in this issue:  

• Red Flags for Nutrition and Fitness Fads
• Eating Smart: Say Cheese
• Struggling with Social Media?
• Managing Menopause
• And MUCH more!

You may also find this issue and previous months on the HR mental health and wellness resources site.  Be sure to scroll all the way down the page to the Additional Resources section. While you’re on the site, check out the wide range of wellbeing resources available to you!