Employee & Family Resources

⚠️ Su***de is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14 and 25-34

Asking "Are you thinking about su***de?" can be one of the hardest conversations you’ll ever have, but it’s one of the most important. Being prepared to recognize the signs, ask the right questions, and offer the right support can save a life 👇

https://efr.org/blog/su***de-prevention/

🎉 What an incredible way to celebrate 60 years of EFR! 🎉

Our team got together at Confluence Brewing Company patio for a fun-filled Friday afternoon packed with great food, fun games, and some friendly competition🎯

Highlights of the day included:
🍴 Delicious food from Peggy-O's Food Truck
🎯A few rounds of Bingo games with prizes
🏆 A heated Bags Tournament, where Mary & Tonia emerged as the champs after an intense final showdown against Paula & Michelle!

Thank you to all who joined in celebrating EFR's 60th year of service—it was an afternoon to remember! Here’s to many more years of supporting well-being and making a difference in our workplaces, schools, and communities! 💙

📢 We’re excited to welcome Kyria Cutler to EFR as a new EAP Account Manager! Kyria brings her passion and dedication to helping others, and we can't wait for you to meet her.

She’s already hit the ground running, and we’re thrilled to have her on board to continue supporting our mission. Join us in giving her a warm welcome! 👏

Grief doesn’t always wait.

When facing a significant change—whether it’s a terminal illness, divorce, or another life-altering event—grief can begin long before the loss occurs, casting a shadow over the present and draining your energy.

So, how can you stay present and find joy even when facing an impending loss?

Coping with Anticipatory Grief: How to Stay Present Anticipatory grief can help you prepare for the future, but it can also bring overwhelming emotions. Learn how to cope when expecting a significant loss.

Last week, part of our EFR Prevention team attended the National Prevention Network Conference in Arizona! It was an incredible opportunity to connect with other professionals, share best practices, and learn about the latest research in substance use prevention. We're excited for the team to integrate this new knowledge into their work as we continue to learn and grow for the communities we serve!

⭐ Pictured below from left to right: Jordan, Penny, Haley, Abby, and Joe

We've been a leader in behavioral health in Iowa for 60 years. Our nonprofit's mission? To help people manage life's challenges to reach their full potential. But what does that actually look like?

Access to mental health care changes lives, and we believe finances should never be a barrier. That's why we offer therapy on a sliding fee scale, adjusting cost based on income to ensure everyone can afford care.

Help us commemorate 60 years and support the future of our mission by joining our anniversary event- we can't wait to celebrate with you!

https://www.facebook.com/share/qnSL5DR2KDBvuZe4/

First responders, from dispatchers to front-line workers, often face repeated trauma due to the nature of their work.

Trauma in the line of duty affects more than just first responders—it impacts their families, too. In our latest podcast, Jennifer explores these challenges and how EFR’s First Responder Coaching provides vital peer support.

👉 https://youtu.be/zOnlz34nULU?si=SncGcL02yFUaJDqA

🎡 Fair Fever hit the EFR office! Cortney and CEO Tammy Felts Hoyman brought the Iowa State Fair to us with a festive snack cart loaded with corndogs and lemonade. With carnival music setting the scene, our team enjoyed a little taste of fair week at work!

🌿 "Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you." 🌿

This isn’t just a feel-good saying—it’s science! Stress builds up and causes the most harm when left unchecked. Regular breaks disrupt that cycle, sharpening your focus and ability to learn.

In just 60 seconds, you can shift your brain from 'fight or flight' mode to a state of calm. This National Relaxation Day, take a moment for yourself. Check out EFR’s Guided Relaxation and Meditation playlist to destress, stay grounded, and build mindfulness in just a few minutes.
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Guided Relaxation Enjoy a guided relaxation to focus on the present moment, aligning the mind and body, and accepting and releasing thoughts as they arise.

📓🖍Preparing for back-to-school doesn't just mean buying supplies. Rehearse with your child to help them feel more comfortable and confident. Preparing in advance helps ease any anxieties and make the transition smoother!

All smiles at the Waukee Schools Resource Fair this week! A big shout-out to Waukee Community School District for their commitment to student well-being. And a huge thank-you to our board member Don Fifer and SAP Consultant Steve Arneson for empowering students and families to take advantage of the free, confidential counseling offered through our Student Assistance Program.

Together, we're helping the Waukee community school district thrive—both in and out of the classroom ⭐

💬 Don’t let back-to-school jitters balloon into overwhelming anxiety.

Validating your child's feelings helps them build emotional regulation skills and develop deeper trust in you. When you actively listen and respond with understanding, your child feels safe sharing and working through their experiences with you!

Mental health matters—just look at Simone Biles. Human potential centers on well-being, and this cannot exist without mental wellness.

Congratulations to Simone Biles for achieving gold in the women's all-around and to Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Simone Biles, Jade Carey and Suni Lee of the US women's gymnastics team for winning the gold in the team final! Thank you for using the stage to remind us that taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body 🏆

Dive in as Mary shares her 25-year transformative journey with yoga, reflecting on how this practice reshaped her life and health in unexpected ways.

Whether you're new to yoga or an experienced yogi, Mary provides insights to help you begin or deepen your practice!

Yoga Beyond the Mat: Transforming Mind and Body with Mary McCarthy-Emotion Well Podcast Join Mary as she shares her 25-year transformative journey with yoga as a participant and an instructor. She explores how yoga as a welcoming and inclusive p...

Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that play a significant role in how you think and feel. Curious about how to nurture your gut microbiome and feel the positive benefits throughout your body? Let’s dive in!

Eat Smart, Feel Better: Nutritional Choices that Boost Gut and Brain Health - Employee and Family Resources The gut microbiome plays a significant role in how your body functions. Here's how can you nurture your gut microbiome and feel the positive benefits throughout your body!

Our Prevention team had an incredible time at Altoona Kids Cafe, spending time with the kids through fun crafts, big book readings, and creative activities. It's all about promoting healthy lifestyles and positive choices from a young age!

Thank you, Altoona Kids Cafe, for the warm welcome and for letting us be a part of your fantastic program! 🤸‍♀️

We're proud to announce our partnership with First Responder Coaching to bring dedicated support to those who protect and serve our communities. This new EAP benefit proactively supports first responders and their families, offering specialized coaching to bolster their resilience and well-being— on the front lines and at home

or Freedom Day celebrates the day in 1865, 2 1/2 years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation when word reached the enslaved peoples in Texas that they were free. Commemorating the end of slavery in the US, it's the longest-running African American holiday and marks our nation's second Independence Day.

School's out, learning’s in! With just over half of Americans financially literate, teaching your kids money management is essential for a future of financial security 💵It's never too early to start— discover 7 practical tips to teach your kids responsible spending and saving habits!

How to Raise Financially Responsible Children: Tips to Cultivate Good Savings and Spending Habits - Employee and Family Resources These financial tips will help instill good savings and spending habits, enabling your kids to navigate the complex world of money with confidence and security.

🎶 Feel-Good Friday is here! Listening to your favorite music can do more than entertain; it enhances well-being by stimulating your brain, triggering dopamine release that lifts your mood and reduces stress. Take a moment today to jam out to tunes that make you feel good!

Let’s start a playlist in the comments: what’s your favorite track to kick off the weekend? 🎧

🌟 Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with our CEO, Tammy Felts Hoyman!

Tammy leads by example when it comes to caring for her mental health. Why does this matter? Leaders play a powerful role in shaping workplace culture. By openly talking about mental health and actively practicing self-care, Tammy not only promotes well-being but also empowers our team to prioritize their own. It's a powerful reminder of our shared humanity, reminding us that beyond our job titles, we are all human first.

Leaders, let's set the tone— it's up to us to create workplaces where mental well-being is openly supported and valued.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating tornado in Greenfield, Iowa. As our neighbors and friends begin the long journey of recovery, here's how you can lend a helping hand

Greenfield, Iowa tornado: How you can help Here's how you can help the people of Greenfield, Iowa.

At EFR, our team's unique backgrounds are our greatest strength. ⭐️This month, meet our EAP Account Manager Teresa Belden.

Swipe through the Q&A series to meet the person behind the role, discovering Teresa’s expert tips, learn a surprising fact about her, and find out what heartfelt goal tops her bucket list!

Self-Care Saturday Tip: Stay Hydrated! 💧 With nearly 65% of your body consisting of water, it's essential for almost every body function— from cushioning your joints and boosting your cognition to increasing your metabolism and even bolstering your immune system. Remember, half an ounce of water per pound of body weight is the key to keeping your brain and body performing at their best!

Thankful Thursday 🌟Did you know gratitude changes your brain? Studies show that practicing gratitude can lift us from negative thinking, motivate us to achieve our goals, strengthen our relationships, and drive a sense of purpose. Today, take a moment to jot down what you’re grateful for—it’s a small step that can lead to powerful changes.

🌟 It's Good News Tuesday! 🌟

Our brains are hardwired to focus on the negative, a survival mechanism known as negativity bias— It's like muscle memory for your mood! But we can train our minds to embrace positivity. Today, let's counter the negativity by sharing uplifting stories. What's your good news? Post in the comments to help brighten someone's day!

🎨📝 Unleash your creativity! Activities like painting, writing, or cooking engage your brain in unique ways, increasing neural connectivity and promoting mental flexibility. Take a moment today to try something new or revisit an old hobby!

Excited to share moments from the unveiling of the first mental health awareness mural in Iowa! 🧠❤️ Located at CarePro Health Services, this powerful artwork by the talented local artist Van Holmgren encourages us all to support each other, be kind to ourselves, and speak openly about mental health.

A big thank you to the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Make It OK for their work to end the stigma and foster these important conversations!