October 10, 2020 | World Mental Health Day
Mental health impacts — and connects — us all.
Especially in times of significant uncertainty, it’s very important to pay attention to your mental health. The novel coronavirus pandemic and other recent events around the world have heightened many people’s fears and worries. Add to this, the reality that hundreds of millions of people globally live with a mental health condition.
Let’s work together to destigmatize situational and chronic mental health issues — and get people the help they need.
Learn more…
Behavorial Health Assistance Program for Students
What is Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Students
All Western University of Health Sciences full-time students have direct access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Students through OptumHealth. Under this Employee Assistance Program for Students, you and any member of your immediate household are eligible for up to five (5) free counseling sessions for each “incident” or situation.
Counseling services may be accessed by telephone, via the web, or face-to-face. These confidential services consist of a series of tools and resources designed to help WesternU students learn new and useful techniques for dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and other common challenges.
Call 1-800-234-5465 anytime for confidential help
Optum has now connected with TalkSpace!
Covered under the Optum EAP benefit, WesternU students, faculty, and staff (including members of their immediate households) can connect with a licensed provider for counseling through a convenient mobile app. To get started, you must call 800-234-5465 to obtain prior authorization. Please see this flyer for more information.
What Services are Offered
Work and School Issues
Relationships
Stress
Career Planning
Performance Concerns
Parenting and Child Care
Becoming a Parent
Exploring Adoption
Child care options and referrals
Parenting skills
Strategies for working parents
Emotional Wellbeing
Stress and Depression
Anger Management
Family Issues
Domestic Violence
Grief and Loss
Substance Abuse and Recovery
Alcohol/drug abuse
Eating Disorders
Outpatient counseling
Support groups
Community services
Financial Planning
Help with credit reports
Debt management
Budgeting
Dealing with delinquent payments
Legal Assistance
Divorce
Landlord/Tenant conflicts
Wills/consumer issues
Free 30 minute consultation
Referral to legal specialists
Who is Eligible for Benefits
Employee/Student (member)
A person actively employed or on short-term disability.
Dependent children
Children who are dependents of the member.
Student
Dependent children attending school.
Spouse / domestic partner
Legally married spouse of an active employee/member.
Household members
Those residing in the eligible member’s home.
Disabled employee (member)
Members who are on disability as defined by the employer/sponsor. Other designated eligible individuals include spouses or dependent children who are on disability.
Webinars & Newsletters
Upcoming Webinars
Weekly Educational Support Group
with Lonny Bevill, MA, MFT
Every Wednesday
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Recorded Webinars
Maintaining Balance
with Dr. Ellen Contente
Presented on: May 6, 2020
Link available for 60 days
Coping with Traumatic Events
with Judith Nussbaum
Presented on: April 24, 2020
Link available for 60 days
How do you access these services?
Online or by Phone
You have the option. You can search Optum’s Live and Work Well website to find the service that is just right for you. If needed, enter access code: WesternU
You are able to contact OptumHealth anytime for confidential help. If you call this number before beginning a treatment, OptumHealth will help ensure that you obtain access to the most appropriate provider for your needs. The PBH provider network includes psychologists and other licensed clinical providers.
Visit Optum’s EAP for WesternU
or Call 1-800-234-5465
Authorization Code
Many services require an authorization code before seeing a provider, and Optum can assist you with this either over the phone or via the website.
If you, or someone you know are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call. Services are available 24-hours a day.
Pre-Authorized Providers On and Near Campus
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, counseling appointments with the on-campus counselors will be conducted telephonically.
You do not need a authorization code from Optum for the following providers.
Anna Couch, PhD, MA, MFT
WesternU Campus | Library, 4th Floor
Office Hours: TBD
acouch@westernu.edu
626-391-8508
Call or e-mail to schedule an appointment.
Lonny Bevill, MA, MFT
Twin Oaks, Suite A-2
(across Mullins Drive from WesternU-Oregon)
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
lonnybevill@optum.com
541-905-5423
Call or e-mail to schedule an appointment.
Autumn Benton, LMFT
Twin Oaks, Suite A-2
(across Mullins Drive from WesternU-Oregon):
Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Autumn_benton@optum.com
952-687-3720
Call or e-mail to schedule an appointment.
The WesternU community can now receive mental health services without prior Optum authorization from Soultenders with multiple locations in the Southern California area. Please call Soultenders directly at the dedicated WesternU phone line 1-855-952-1907 to schedule an appointment.
Note: to obtain an appointment, the name, address, and birthdate of the WesternU employee/student is needed for authorization purposes
GIVEN THE RECENT DIRECTIVES FROM GOVERNOR NEWSOM ALL SESSIONS WILL BE TELECOUNSELING. IF A CLIENT WOULD PREFER AN IN-PERSON SESSION, IT IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROVIDER. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SESSIONS ARE CONDUCTED OVER THE PHONE.
The Sanvello app is available to you at no extra cost as part of your plan’s behavioral health benefits.
View the Sanvello app flyer (.pdf)
Daily mood tracking, coping tools, personalized progress and more at sanvello.com
OptumHealth Disclosure Notices
- EAP Group Employer Cover Letter
- Timely Access to Care
- Language Assistance Notice of Availability in English, Spanish and Chinese.