Benefits & Well-being Newsletter

National Alcohol Awareness Month

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. Do you, or someone you know, struggle with alcohol use disorder? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 28.9 million people in the United States (ages 12 and older) had alcohol use disorder in 2023. Alcoholism has many negative factors, such as: significantly impacting the alcoholic's physical and mental health, damaging personal relationships, affecting their loved ones’ mental health, and impacting financial health. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol use disorder can cause the following health problems, just to name a few: 

• Liver disease
• Digestive, heart and eye problems
• Diabetes and neurological complications
• Bone damage
• Weakened immune system
• Increased risk of cancer 

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, please seek professional help. Reaching out to a primary care provider is a great first step. Visit our webpage for more resources you and your loved ones can seek support from.

Financial Literacy Month

Take part in Financial Literacy Month by taking advantage of your EAP services. Have a financial issue? Speak with a financial professional, complete a free financial check-up, view Employee and Family Resources (EFR) financial library, and a variety of other financial tools by visiting efr.org/financial. Consultations are available in 30 minute sessions per issue. All services are free and available to each eligible employee and members of their household, including children and adult college age children who may be living away from home.
 

Travel with Assistance

Is your family starting to plan for a summer vacation? While a vacation is meant to be relaxing, the planning, preparation, and cost can be quite the opposite. Remember these services available to you as a benefits eligible employee:

• EAP
  • Vacation planning can be overwhelming and extremely stressful. Be mindful of your mental and financial health when planning a big trip. Reach out to Employee & Family Resources when you, and anyone in your household, are needing some help.
• Blue365
  • If you’re enrolled in a health insurance plan, Wellmark offers travel discounts (along with many other discounts) through Blue365. Always keep Blue365 in mind before making a big purchase or signing up for a membership. You’ll be surprised by some of the savings you’ll find.
• Travel Assistance
  • UNI employees covered by UNI's group term life insurance policy from Principal Life Insurance Company are eligible for travel assistance services provided by AXA Assistance.