Wellness

IU School of Medicine’s commitment to wellness within the school community includes physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, financial and relational well-being. Through innovative, coordinated and aligned initiatives to address wellness needs, the school’s values of respect, integrity, diversity and excellence are lived out every day. Below are links to pertinent resources on topics related to mental health. Take a few minutes to support your mental well-being by doing these self-reflection exercises and these self-care assessments. 

Residents and fellows at IU School of Medicine have a range of options for mental health services and behavioral health care. IU School of Medicine provides free and confidential counseling services to resident and fellow physicians. These include individual, couples and family, and group counseling; consultation; programming; and emergency intervention.

Among concerns are adjustment, alcohol or drug-related difficulties, anxiety and stress management, body image, depression, disordered eating, emotional response to physician responsibilities, harassment, individual differences, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, sexuality, sexual victimization, and suicidal thoughts.

All individuals are treated with respect regardless of age, color, counseling concern, ethnicity, gender, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Counseling is confidential in accordance with state laws and ethical guidelines. Counseling records are maintained in files separate from the student and staff files, and they cannot be accessed by faculty, staff, administrators, parents or other student-staff without the individual’s written permission.

As employees of Indiana University, all IU School of Medicine faculty, residents and fellows have eligibility and access to the Indiana University Employee Assistance Program (IU EAP).  

IU School of Medicine has contracted with the Indiana State Medical Association Physician Assistance Commission (ISMA-PAC) to coordinate efforts in identifying and assisting physicians with illnesses impairing their ability to practice medicine. These illnesses may include chemical dependency, psychiatric illnesses, and/or physical illnesses. The ISMA-PAC was created to assist in the identification, treatment, and rehabilitation of an impaired member of the medical staff and house staff.

The ISMA Commission serves all physicians who provide care at IU Health Methodist, IU Health University Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, VAMC, and Eskenazi Health be they faculty, staff or resident physicians.

If intervention is deemed appropriate, it is undertaken in a confidential, positive, supportive manner, consistent with the laws of the State of Indiana, with the goals of recovery and rehabilitation foremost in mind. For confidential assistance, contact: Candace Backer, ISMA Physician Assistance coordinator, 322 Canal Walk, Indianapolis, IN 46202; Phone: 317-261-2060 or 1-800-257-4762.

Spiritual care and chaplaincy services are available through Beth Newton Watson, M.Div, BCC, at IU Health Methodist Hospital, Wile Hall W230. To schedule an appointment, call 317-962-3723 (office) or 317-965-9229 (mobile) or email Beth Newton Watson.