Kent State's Employee Assistance Program, IMPACT, Introduces TESS
TESS Provides Mental Health Support Using Artificial Intelligence
TESS is an artificial intelligence chatbox that provides users with psychological and emotional support and improves your mental health and well-being. TESS, like all IMPACT services, is available to all Kent State full- and part-time faculty/staff, their spouse/domestic partner, dependent children in and away from home, and parents/parents-in-law.
Tess simulates how a human would behave as a conversational partner while providing clinically proven coping skills and strategies based on expressed emotion, like a self-help book. Research findings show that Tess is proven to reduce depression by 28 percent and anxiety by 18 percent.
“I have found through my use that Tess is a great accountability partner, reminding me to work on goals that I set for myself,” said Kim Hauge, director of Employee Wellness.
If at any time during a chat session with Tess the user wishes to speak to, or schedule an appointment with, a counselor, Tess will provide the IMPACT Solutions phone number or emergency response services, depending on the need.
Tess offers the following services:
- It’s completely confidential. You can stop a conversation whenever you’re ready by simply texting "stop" or asking Tess to delete your conversation at any time.
- It’s an excellent resource for teens, college students and adults who prefer technology as a communication tool or method for learning.
- It’s a good way to supplement counseling and gain access to strategies and techniques that can help you manage stress in the moment.
Give Tess a try today by texting "KENT" to 1 (415) 360-0023. You may also watch an informative video testimonial to learn more about Tess by logging on to your IMPACT Solutions website at using username KENT and click on the Tess tile. For additional questions regarding TESS, call IMPACT Solutions at 800-227-6007.
For questions regarding employee wellness offerings for faculty and staff, contact the Employee Wellness Office at 330-672-0392, or visit our homepage.
鶹ѡ Orchestra Features Two Outstanding Student Soloists
The 鶹ѡ Orchestra continues its 2019-2020 subscription season with a concert on Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. that will feature the winners of the annual student Concerto Competition. This year’s winners include undergraduate saxophonist Eric Vasquez and graduate pianist Gréta Pásztor. Learn more.
WKSU Celebrates 70 Years
WKSU will celebrate 70 years of broadcasting throughout 2020. Founded on Oct. 2, 1950, WKSU started with just a 10-watt signal that barely reached the edge of the Kent Campus. It has since grown into an award-winning station broadcasting to 22 counties across Ohio.
Over the years, WKSU broadcasted everything from 鶹ѡsporting events to classical music to today’s primary format: local and national news.
Several events are planned to celebrate this milestone. Stay up to date with WKSU activities by signing up for the station’s free e-newsletters at .
Meditation Across Campus Returns for Spring 2020
鶹ѡof Wellness, the university’s healthy campus initiative, will continue its Meditation Across Campus program this spring semester. Meditation Across Campus is a free, 30-minute meditation program open to students, faculty and staff. Sessions take place at various locations across the Kent Campus each weekday. If you can’t attend in-person, you can now join a live stream of the meditation session every Wednesday at noon from the convenience of your office or home. For the full schedule and the livestream link, visit www.kent.edu/stateofwellness/meditation.
Enroll Today in Free Koru Mindfulness Basic and 2.0 Training
Take advantage of free Koru Mindfulness training offered this spring semester through 鶹ѡof Wellness, the university’s healthy campus initiative.Koru Mindfulness is a free, four-week, 75-minute class open to faculty, staff and students. Participants learn how to incorporate evidence-based mindfulness practices to be more resilient, more rested and less stressed. Classes are held at various locations across the Kent Campus.
If you have completed a Koru Basic class, there are opportunities to sign up for Koru 2.0 classes. To find a convenient class session and to register, visit www.kent.edu/stateofwellness/meditation/koru.
If you have questions, please contact Melissa Celko, director of 鶹ѡof Wellness, at mcelko1@kent.edu.
Environmental Health and Safety Offers OSHA Training
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will offer two classes (both required) of OSHA 10-Hour General Industry training on March 3 and 4, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Harbourt Hall conference room 102.
Topics of discussion will center on general industry safety, such as fall protection, lockout/tagout, walking and working surfaces and much more.
The training will be led by an OSHA-certified facilitator and is intended to go into more detail than what is available on Flashtrain.All faculty and staff are welcome to attend.
If you, or members of your staff, would like to attend, please call Don Head at 672-9595, or email dehead@kent.edu.Class size is limited to 18 participants so please register early.
Dates to Remember
Feb. 3
National Wear Red Day
Feb. 4
Rosa Parks Day