Compassion Culture

Be a part of the Compassion Culture at IU!

Why Promote a Culture of Compassion?

Compassion for ourselves and others nurtures our mental/emotional, physical, and social well-being — at work and beyond! And forget any ideas about compassion making you soft or weak. Compassion for ourselves and others actually strengthens resilience, boosts team dynamics, and improves leadership performance.

The Story Behind the Movement: Learn more

Healthy IU Work + Life has gathered experts from across the university to present on a range of topics in the Compassion Culture Series. Click on a presentation below to learn more or register.

Spring 2023 Programs

  • Mindful Self-Compassion

    Thursdays, January 26-March 2
    11:00 a.m.-Noon ET
    Online

    Registration is closed.

    People who adopt self-compassion practices have less depression and anxiety and are more likely to experience positive mind states like happiness and life satisfaction. Mindful Self-Compassion is a training developed by Kristen Neff, Ph.D., of the University of Texas at Austin, and Christopher Germer, Ph.D., of Harvard. It is a research-proven 6-week course with each session lasting an hour. Please join us for this chance to re-learn how to include yourself in your own circle of caring.

    The course provides a number of ways to bring self-compassion into even the most stressful moments. Here is a breakdown of the classes:

    • Jan 26: What is self-compassion and how do you cultivate it?
    • Feb 2: Integrating self-compassion in your life, made easy.
    • Feb 9: Working with your inner critic and finding your inner compassionate voice.
    • Feb 16: Using self-compassion to work with difficult emotions.
    • Feb 23: Practicing self-compassion while attending to others' needs.
    • March 2: How self-compassion can help when we can't completely live in alignment with our values.

    Facilitator: Jonathan Walker, MD; Clinical Assistant Professor, Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne; Certified Mindfulness Facilitator, International Mindfulness Teacher's Association

  • Understanding & Navigating Mental Health Support Services

    Many times it is challenging to work up the courage to seek mental health treatment, and so is taking the next step to find the right mental health professional and treatment option.

    In recognition of Mental Wellness Month, this webinar will explore the differences between short-term counseling and long-term therapy. Participants will take a detailed dive in the comparison of therapy options to help make informed decisions, best for their mental health needs.

    Recording
    PowerPoint Slides

  • Building a Resilient Team Amid Uncertainty and Change: Addressing Anxiety at Work

    Thursday, April 6
    1:00-4:00 p.m. ET
    Online

    Register now »

    This virtual training shares strategies and resources for building an emotionally safe workplace and a resilient team. Leaders will learn how to spot rising anxiety levels among their team members, ease the concerns of employees who are overwhelmed or worried about the future, and engage in effective conversations about emotions in uncertain times. This training will also illustrate how team members at all levels can work together to build an environment that fosters camaraderie, productivity, and calm. Each participant will receive a complimentary copy of the book, "Anxiety in the Workplace," by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton.

    NOTE: To attend this 3-hour training, please select ONE scheduled date when registering.

  • Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace

    2 options available:

    Wednesday, February 8
    11:00 a.m.-Noon ET
    Online

    Register now »

    OR

    Wednesday March 1st
    11:00 a.m.-Noon ET
    Online

    Register now

    Everyone suffers when mental health issues or other types of emotional distress are left unaddressed in the workplace. Fortunately, basic mental health first aid training helps ensure that individuals in the workplace who may be struggling get the help they need.

    In this training seminar, participants will learn how to identify the signs of someone struggling with a mental health issue, connect with the person in a supportive and appropriate way and guide them towards the resources available to help them address and resolve the issue, such as the EAP.

  • Helping Your Tween/Teen Manage Negative and Distracted Thoughts

    • Part 1: Monday, February 13
    • Part 2: Monday, February 27

    11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. ET
    Online

    Register now »

    Research shows that our tweens and teens are more anxious and distracted than ever before, which often affects their academic performance and social well-being. In this 2-part workshop, participants will attain tools to assist their tween/teens with managing anxiety and distractedness, in the moment, and long-term. Strategies for addressing test anxiety will also be shared.

  • Overcoming Workplace Negativity

    Wednesday, March 8
    11:00 a.m.-Noon ET
    Online

    Register now »

    Workplace negativity impacts an organization's productivity, quality of work, and retention of skilled employees. Negativity that is not addressed effectively grows and breeds discontent. Participants in the workshop will identify the "why" of workplace negativity. They will explore the differences between organizational and individual negativity, address "top-down" negativity, learn how to shape negative behaviors into positive behaviors and determine how to become a role model for positive results.

    Presented by SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace

    Monday, April 3
    11:00 - noon (ET)
    Online

    Register now

    Maximizing employees’ strengths to create successful teams requires an objective awareness of those strengths. One way to do this is to examine biases of what is “normal”. In this seminar, participants will be given an opportunity and tools to recognize the benefits of supporting and maximizing the resources that neurodiverse employees bring to the workplace.

    Presented by SupportLinc EAP

  • Diversity in the Workplace Series

    Diversity: Experiencing Differences 

    Monday, April 10
    11:00 am - noon (ET) / 10:00 am-11:00 am (CT)
    Online

    Register now

    Today’s workforce is a melting pot of backgrounds, races, ages, mental and physical capabilities, cultures and experiences. The challenge is to understand and appreciate these differences, and to learn to work in harmony with people who may be different than us. Participants in this course will discover the true meaning of diversity. They will explore root causes of cultural attitudes, learn techniques for overcoming biases and discover the positive benefits that diversity brings to them, both as individuals and as part of an organization.

    Diversity: Supporting Black Americans in the Workplace

    Monday, April 17
    11:00 - noon (ET) 1:00 am - noon (ET) / 10:00 am-11:00 am (CT)
    Online

    Register now

    This session builds upon the more general “Diversity: Experiencing Differences” training with a specific focus on how to support our Black friends, family members, co-workers, and community members.

    Diversity: Supporting Asian/Pacific Islander Americans

    Monday, April 24
    11:00 - noon (ET) 1:00 am - noon (ET) / 10:00 am-11:00 am (CT)
    Online

    Register now

    This session builds upon the more general “Diversity: Experiencing Differences” training, with a specific focus on how to support our Asian/Pacific Islander friends, family members, co-workers and community members.

    All workshop will be presented by SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program

    Please visit this page for additional series workshop offerings which will be held later this year. 

““When I think about compassion culture, especially in the workplace, you have to be understanding of the fact that people are experiencing imperfect lives, they take that with them and it impacts everything that they do. If you are supportive of them so that they can still make a difference in their job during these experiences, that’s what builds good work, keep people in their jobs, and that's what builds humanity.” Charissa Darland

Past Program Recordings

  • Compassion Culture in the Workplace

    Session #1 Recording

    Session #2 Recording

    We are flooded regularly with messages about strife, suffering, and interpersonal conflict. What can you do to comfort and nurture yourself? And what can you do to contribute to a nurturing and compassionate work environment?

    The first session of this 2-session series about building and maintaining a culture of compassion in the workplace focus on defining "compassion" and introducing frameworks for compassionate living. The second session provides a space for reflecting, asking questions, and designing the next steps. 

    Program Facilitators: 

    Janice Bankert-Countryman, MA; Career Consultant and Senior Associate Faculty-IUPUI

    Charlie Johnson, MS; Director of Scholar Support Programs and Mindfulness-based Emotional Intelligence Instructor-IUPUI

  • Emotional Intelligence

    2-Part Series

    Healthy IU Work + Life teams up with IUHR's Talent & Org Development to bring you Emotional Intelligence training. Emotional Intelligence is an important component of building a "Compassion Culture" and maneuvering uncomfortable conversations.

    This workshop enhances your ability to know what you are feeling, what your emotions mean and how they may affect other people. You will gain a greater understanding of how to manage your emotions and personal and professional relationships. You will also learn how to apply Emotional Intelligence when participating in difficult or uncomfortable conversations.

    Program Facilitator: Catherine L. Matthews, J.D., Ph.D., Sr. Consultant, IUHR Talent & Org. Development

  • De-escalation

    Session #1 Recording

    Session #2 Recording

    PowerPoint

    This workshop training focuses on building skills to become effective at de-escalating and defusing emotional and stressful situations. This session focuses on understanding and managing your response to stress, understanding and managing the stress of others, and learning effective de-escalation strategies.

    Facilitator: Tiffany Lemons, MPA, Senior Organization Development Consultant, IU Human Resources

  • Supporting a Compassion Culture through Effective Conflict Resolution

    Listening with Our Eyes, Ears, and Heart (recording)
    PowerPoint Slides
    This recorded session explores essential listening skills and practices for responding to conflict. We discuss attentive listening skills, then take a deeper five to examine both the process and mindset for listening with true empathy. Listening at the heart level involves a commitment to being present with others as they share their concerns and emotions about a conflict situation and the ability to demonstrate an understanding from their point of view.

    The Interpersonal Dynamics of Conflict: Understanding Conflict Modes (recording)
    PowerPoint Slides
    This record session explores the five basic modes of behavior in which individuals engage when responding to conflict. We reflect on the conflict modes in which they typically engage and whether these modes are most effective when responding to conflict. We explore strategies and approaches for adopting different modes to improve effectiveness when addressing conflict and responding to the conflict mode behaviors of others.

    Mediating Conflicts for Yourself (recording)
    PowerPoint Slides
    This session offers an opportunity to learn strategies, techniques, and skills that are needed to mediate interpersonal conflicts and ensure both you and the other person feel fully heard. The session covers skills and practices for confronting another person about a conflict situation without causing defensiveness – in yourself and the other person.

    Mediating Interpersonal and Workplace Conflicts (recording)
    PowerPoint Slides
    This session provides an overview of the five key stages for mediating conflict between individuals, including setting the stage, gathering information, framing issues, negotiating options, and nailing down the agreement. Learn introductory skills for mediating two-party interpersonal and workplace conflicts.

  • Mindful Parenting: How to Practice Mindfulness with Kids and Teens

    Mindful Parenting with Kids Recordings

    Mindful Parenting with Teens Recordings

    Learn simple, age-appropriate everyday ways to practice being mindful with your children. Mindfulness is the ability to notice what is happening in the present moment, and practicing mindfulness with kids helps develop skills of emotional and behavioral self-regulation and increases focused attention. Join Nellie Springston, M.Ed. Founder of Calma (Calm & Loving Minds Achieve) as she shares research-based strategies with you to practice with your kids.

    Program Facilitator: Nellie Springston, M.Ed

  • Small Worries to BIG Anxiety: Supporting Teens Through Big and Small Challenges

    2-Part Series

    Whether your teen experiences just a little bit of fear or a lot of big anxiety, it can feel overwhelming to know what to do to help. This 2-session series will share practical tips on how to help your teen with all types of worry and anxiety, with specific emphasis on how to talk through those anxious moments.

    Program Facilitator: Beth Trammell, Ph.D., HSPP

  • Difficult Moments with Teens

    Being a teen is hard and parenting a teen can be difficult. They are concerned about being liked by their peers, doing well in school, and getting along with their families, all while going through physiological and physical changes. Dr. Beth Trammel is prepared to offer tips and answer questions regarding difficult moments you may experience with your teens. 

    Facilitator: Beth A. Trammell, Ph.D, HSSP, IU East Associate Professor of Psychology

     

  • Depression and Loss through the Teen Lens: Parenting Strategies for Better Tomorrows

    Workshop #1

    Workshop #2

    Workshop #3

    Question and Answers

    This past year has been one that has been filled with lots of loss, especially for many of our teens. For some, this may be the first experience with grief, which can seem really hard to navigate. This three-part series will share parenting strategies to help better understand the lens of teen grief, what it looks like, and how to help. We will explore specific signs for depression and suicide and when further intervention is needed. Join us to learn all about teen depression, loss, and grief.

    Program Facilitator: Beth Trammell, Ph.D., HSPP

  • Suicide Awareness: Know the Behaviors, Help Save a Life

    Suicide is a serious public health problem that causes immeasurable pain, suffering, and loss to individuals, families, and communities nationwide. The causes of suicide are complex and determined by multiple combinations of factors, such as mental illness, alcohol and substance abuse, painful losses, exposure to violence and social isolation. The purpose of this training is to raise awareness of suicide and other serious emotional health concerns, and provide important information about getting help for someone who may be thinking about suicide.

    View the recording
    Downloadable workbook

    This is offered by Supportlinc, IU's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).