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How Wellness can help you

When life throws you a curve ball – at work or at home – NWU Wellness is there to help soften the blow with its employee wellness programme.

eish! asked senior health and wellness specialist Bonita Maboeta to tell us more about the professional support available.

Q: Who is the company behind this support programme?

A: Our programme is powered by the company Life Employee Health Solutions (Life EHS).

Q: What kind of help is available?

A: Professional advice and support are available in three main areas:

Psycho-social and health matters
Finances
Legal issues

(Click on the orange rectangles right at the top of the article to read more about the services.)

Q: What makes this programme special?

A: It is free, totally confidential and when you have a crisis, you can phone the Care Centre day or night, seven days a week, for help in your preferred language. The toll-free number (free if you phone from a landline) is 0800 213 149.

You can also rest assured that all consultants and counsellors are suitably qualified and experienced and, where necessary, appropriately licensed and registered with their statutory councils.

What’s more, the assistance is also available to your dependents.

Q: How do I access the service?

A: You can use any of these methods:

In a crisis, you can phone the 24-hour toll-free number (0800 213 149).
In other instances, SMS your name (at R1,50 per SMS) to 31581 at any time, and the Care Centre will call you back.
You can also send an email to NWU@lifehealthcare.co.za for counselling via email.
Another handy online aid is an app that you can download on your cellphone to schedule an appointment. (Go to the Google Play Store or the Apple Store, look for Life EHS and then follow the prompts.)

Q: What happens if a psycho-social matter can’t be solved over the phone?

A: A counsellor will contact you to make an appointment to meet for face-to-face counselling with a therapist in your home town. This is also available to your dependants. For instance, your child can see a therapist in the town or city where he or she lives.

Q: Are you going to tell my boss that I asked for advice or counseling?

A: Definitely not. Using our programme will not put your job security or opportunities for promotion at risk. All our consultants follow a strict code of ethics to protect the identity of every person using the service.

Q: A final word from you?

A: At some stage in our lives, we all have to deal with difficult personal or work-related issues. Before you find yourself in an unmanageable situation, seek professional support. We are there for you.

PSYCHO-SOCIAL MATTERS

FINANCES

LEGAL ISSUES

OTHER HELPFUL FACTS

Psycho-social matters

The programme offers specialised support to staff members and their families who may experience the following situations:

Emotional and personal difficulties
Family and relationship concerns
Alcohol, drug or gambling abuse
Stress and life changes
Career issues
Gender-based violence
Violence and trauma
HIV/Aids
General health concerns
Bereavement and loss
Work-related matters

Finances

Guidance and support are available on these topics:

Debt counselling
Managing debt
Budgets
Blacklisting
Retirement planning
Loans
Investments

Legal issues

Professional legal support services are offered telephonically when you are faced with legal procedures such as:

Letters of demand
Outstanding payments
Divorce
Custody matters
Small claims issues
Civil proceedings
Other legal concerns

This service can also generate certain legal contracts for you, including:

Your last will and testament
Power of attorney
Residential lease
Sale of items such as a motor vehicle

Other helpful acts

There is no limit on the number of telephone calls for telephonic counselling.
When you are facing a specific problem, you may have up to eight face-to-face sessions, to be used within three months. When you need counselling for another problem, another round of eight sessions is available.
Make sure that your dependants have the 24-hour number and your staff number, in case they need help. This service even extends to other people who are involved with your household. For example, in the event of a robbery at your home, your child’s caregiver or your domestic/garden worker may also ask for help in coping with the trauma.
The toll-free number has been allocated specifically to the NWU. When answering calls from this number, the operators will know that you are from the university.
The legal and financial services are aimed at giving support or advice. You will for instance receive advice on financial or legal matters, but you won’t receive a loan or representation in court.
The services are totally voluntary. Your manager can only encourage you to participate, but can’t force you to.
There is a Wellness Portal available where you can read various articles about health and wellness. These are written by professionals and often updated.
By registering on this site, you can build and update your own health and wellness profile, using the information you obtain from health and wellness screening sessions during NWU Wellness days.