Wellness Happenings - October — Mary Baldwin University

Featuring monthly updates from Christine Flory and the Office of Health and Wellness.

Above: MBU Students enjoy the weather on campus on the first day of class

October Health Observances

Onsite Health Screenings for Faculty and Staff in October!

Date and Time: TBD

Keep your eyes on the events calendar for more information.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Get answers to commonly asked questions about breast cancer from the National Breast Cancer Foundation
Get up-to-date information about breast cancer from the CDC
From the Health Advocate blog, get tips in honor of those still fighting breast cancer as well as those who have passed away; also, learn about your risks for breast cancer

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

From the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, learn what constitutes domestic violence
From the Health Advocate blog, learn about some of the signs of domestic violence and how to get help

Home Eye Safety Month

From PreventBlindness.org, get tips and resources for keeping your kids’ eyes healthy
From the Health Advocate blog, get tips to keep your eyes healthy

For organizations: Prevent Blindness offers a variety of fact sheets that may be helpful to your employees.

National Work and Family Month

From the Health Advocate blog, visit our Work and Life section to read articles on work/life balance, stress management, and more

Health Literacy Month

From the Health Advocate blog, these articles can help you be a savvier health consumer: Make open enrollment less stressful by being prepared, When (and why) to choose urgent care, and Become a better healthcare consumer

Mental Illness Awareness Week: October 5 – 11

From the National Alliance on Mental Illness, access resources for support
From the Health Advocate blog, here’s how to help reduce stigma and increase support for those dealing with mental illness

National Depression Screening Day: October 7

From SAMHSA, learn about the different types of depression
From the Health Advocate blog, get tips to defeat depression

World Mental Health Day: October 10

From the World Health Organization, learn more about World Mental Health Day
From the Health Advocate blog, get tips to improve your mental health, find out what you should know about men and mental health, and–in anticipation of cooler temperatures later this year–start mulling over these ways to winterize your mental health

World Menopause Day: October 18

Menopause Matters Program: Free program for faculty and staff

Members from MBU Wellness, OT, PA, Nursing, and PT have come together to create a comprehensive program that will inform, support, guide, and empower you as you navigate the menopause transition.

We’re excited to share the final details for the Menopause Matters program offered this Fall! Thank you again to everyone who completed the interest and planning surveys—your input has been invaluable in shaping a program that meets the needs of our community. While we know we weren’t able to accommodate every preference in this initial pilot, we’re already planning future offerings to help expand access.

Program Overview
Menopause Matters is a 6-week program designed to inform, support, guide, and empower women as they prepare for and navigate the menopause transition. Whether menopause feels far in the future or is part of your current journey, this program will provide knowledge and wellness strategies for every age and stage.

Dates & Schedule

Start Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Duration: 6 weeks
Day of the Week: Wednesdays
Time: 1-2pm
Location: Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences, 2nd floor Conference Room
Questions: Contact Liz Richardson @ eerichardson@marybaldwin.edu or Christine Flory @ cmflory@marybaldwin.edu

Registration
Participation is free, but registration is required. Please use the link below to register:
Registration Form

Once registered, you’ll receive confirmation and additional information prior to the first session.

We can’t wait to embark on this journey with you—empowering wellness at work and beyond!

With appreciation,
Your Menopause Matters Health Partners

Liz Richardson, OT (eerichardson@marybaldwin.edu)

Christine Flory, MBU Director of Wellness Initiatives (cmflory@marybaldwin.edu)

Sarah McCadden, OT

Chesney Carroll, PA

Shelia Talbott, Nursing

Cassy Turner, PT

Halloween: October 31

Health Advocate is here with lots of ideas to help you and your family have a fun and healthy Halloween!

Check out these scary good ideas to avoid Halloween candy temptation
Be mindful of these safety tips if your family plans to go trick-or-treating
And here are a few ways to sneak in some exercise on Halloween!

Upcoming Health Advocate Webinars:

October 16, 2025
Domestic Violence Awareness
10:00 am (ET) 4:00 pm (ET)

November 20, 2025
Drugs and Addiction: What Everyone Needs to Know
10:00 am (ET) 4:00 pm (ET)

On campus events MBU Wellness Events:

Menopause Matters Program: Free program for faculty and staff

Dates & Schedule

Start Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Duration: 6 weeks
Day of the Week: Wednesdays
Time: 1-2pm
Location: Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences, 2nd floor Conference Room
Questions: Contact Liz Richardson @ eerichardson@marybaldwin.edu or Christine Flory @ cmflory@marybaldwin.edu

Registration
Participation is free, but registration is required. Please use the link below to register:
Registration Form

10/15/25 9 am – 3 pm

Free massage event for students, faculty and staff.

Location:

MDCHS- Room G 19 Sign Up Here

Staunton- Location TBD Sign Up Here

10/22- Unbottled: Alcohol, stress and sleep – Sleep kits and Truth or Myth game

Hunt 12-1 pm

10/23 National Domestic Violence Awareness Day# purplethursday Table event with purple ribbons

Hunt 12- 1 pm

Timely Care Faculty Support:

Faculty/ Staff Wellness Portal Health Advocate:

Health Advocate replaced Web MD wellness portal in Jan 2024.

Quarter 4 deadline to earn and log incentives December 10, 2025

To earn the incentive you need to earn and log cumulative of 300 points in the wellness portal during Q1 ( Jan 1 – March 31, 2025) and Q2 (April – June 30,2025) and Q3 (July 1- September 30, 2025) Q4 ( October 1, 2025 – December 10,2025)

Question about the new portal can be emailed to Director of Wellness Initiatives Christine Flory at cmflory@marybaldwin.edu

Here’s how to create your account:

Fac/Staff please take a few minutes to watch this video as it provides a comprehensive overview of the new well being portal and how to log incentives through Health Advocate.

Health Advocate: Navigating the Portal

Anthem EAP Webinars:

To view a seminar on demand, go to anthemeap.com and enter your company code: MBU You’ll find a link to these and other seminars on the homepage.

View the seminars on demand — anytime, anywhere. Submit a question and receive a response via email. Questions are logged in a FAQ section, so you can browse and learn from the questions of others

10/7/25 Overcoming Burnout 12:30-1:30 pm

Join link:

https://bli-meetings.webex.com/bli-meetings/j.php?MTID=m5d1cee620ab5701b0abca8c0e195e4e0

Webinar number:

2632 857 0381

Webinar password:

JRfKQesw734 (57357379 when dialing from a video system)

11/4 12:30-1:30 pm Creating and Annual Well Being Plan:

Ready to crush your well-being goals without burning out by February? In this session, we’ll walk you through 12 game-changing habits that will boost your physical, mental, and emotional health all year long. You’ll get to pick the ones that fit your lifestyle, and we’ll even throw in some resources to help you stay on track (because we know life happens). By the end, you’ll be ready to tackle your well-being plan like a pro and enjoy a healthier, happier you!

Join link:

https://bli-meetings.webex.com/bli-meetings/j.php?MTID=md8d7a4bcdc508c6ab5e40d3a296e2556

Webinar number:

2861 021 5024

Webinar password:

tCjGPn6z8h7 (82547669 when dialing from a video system)

EAP Recordings:

February recording: Health and Wellness in the Black Community

https://bli-meetings.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/bli-meetings/recording/playback/4e2a1958cc5e103dbdb77e7ac1295a93

March recording: Eating Right on the Run and on a Budget

https://bli-meetings.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/bli-meetings/recording/playback/1de05a46e0c5103da2f94ac45e6e1beb

April recording: Mindfulness Meditation