We each face our own, ever-changing set of personal and work-related challenges and opportunities. These interactive webinars can inform, inspire, and support you in this process, with research-based strategies, tips, and information to help you be better prepared for whatever life presents next.
Presented by the MIT HR Center for WorkLife and WellBeing
Impostor Syndrome in the Workplace
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 3:30 pm
- 4:30 pm
Impostor syndrome, the belief that others overestimate your abilities at work, is predominantly thought to be highly detrimental at work. However, new research emanating from Dr. Basima Tewfik has begun to challenge this prevailing wisdom. In this session, Dr. Tewfik will leverage her recent research to guide attendees through an interactive conversation focused on dispelling popular myths surrounding the experience of impostor syndrome at work.
Presenter: Basima Tewfik, Ph.D.; Class of 1943 Career Development Professor and Assistant Professor of Work and Organization Studies, MIT Sloan
Atomic Habits: Tiny Habits, Remarkable Results
Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 12:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. Atomic habits are regular practices or routines that are not only small and easy to do, but also the source of incredible power, a component of the system of compound growth. Based on the #1 New York Times bestseller by one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, James Clear, this webinar offers dynamic ways to foster positive habits or mitigate those “not so great” habits. Join us to discover relevant strategies as part of a step-by-step system for personal development and transformational change.
Atomic Habits is currently available to order for free from the MIT MyLife Services bookshelf, which is accessible to MIT staff, faculty, and postdocs. If you need instructions for setting up your MIT MyLife Services platform and ordering from the bookshelf, please email worklife@mit.edu.
Presenter: Katherine McHugh, M.S.; Mindfulness Educator
Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 12:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
Whether you are attending this session for yourself or to gain understanding to support a loved one, depression is something that many Americans will experience in their lifetimes. Research from the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that each year, 8% of the U.S. population (or about 21 million people) experience diagnosable signs and symptoms of a major depressive episode. The webinar will provide information on symptoms of depression, including how it impacts more than just your mood. Attendees will learn practical coping skills, the types of treatment for depression, and how to recognize when to seek out support.
Presenter: Michael Marquez, Psy.D.; Psychologist
Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Identifying and Managing Thought Traps
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 12:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
Every one of us is prone to cognitive distortions, which are habitual modes of thinking that are often inaccurate and negatively biased. These thought traps impact our emotions, increase our anxiety, and threaten our sense of self. Maybe we jump to conclusions, catastrophize, or tend to think in “all-or-nothing” terms. The good news is there is power in identifying which thought patterns we are prone to and how they manifest. This webinar will review the most common thought traps so that we can learn to identify them in the moment and shift our thinking in the long term. The webinar will review strategies to reframe your thinking that are based in cognitive-behavioral therapy, an evidence-based framework for managing anxious thoughts.
Presenter: Michael Marquez, Psy.D.; Psychologist
Burnout Alert: How to Recognize and Recover from Burnout and Feel Like Yourself Again
Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 12:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
Over the last few years, individuals have reported unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout. In this webinar, we will discuss the signs of stress and burnout and their impact on the body, and will share strategies you can take to improve your physical and emotional wellbeing. Recognizing the busy life of today’s professionals, we will focus on teaching practical, bite-sized tools that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine. You will develop skills to identify triggers and signs of stress and gain strategies that will help you adopt a prevention mindset when it comes to stress and burnout. In addition, you will learn tools to effectively recover from the symptoms of burnout once it has already set in.
Presenter: Charmain Jackman, Ph.D.; Founder, InnoPsych
The Power of Self-Talk
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 from 12:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
We all have an inner voice that provides us with feedback and narrates our day. This voice can inspire and motivate or judge and discourage. In this workshop, learn techniques that build on each other to increase awareness of self-talk, rescript it, and harness its potential to make our lives better.
Presenter: Susanna (Zan) Barry, Psy.D., M.A.; Senior Program Manager, Community Wellness at MIT Medical
De-Stigmatizing Mental Health
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 12:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
Despite the prevalence of mental health conditions in the United States, there is a stigma attached to the topic. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness any given year. As a collective culture, we have made strides to normalize mental health challenges, with increased awareness resulting from the pandemic, but we still have a long way to go.
This webinar will provide education around the prevalence of mental health and substance use conditions and review strategies for promoting a stigma-free culture. We will review what mental health stigma is, what the driving forces are behind it, and how it impacts the wellbeing of individuals who experience mental health challenges. We will review the importance of language in promoting a stigma-free culture. We’ll end on a hopeful note; we know that mental health treatment is effective, and that reducing stigma will lead to an increased willingness of an individual to seek out treatment.
The session will conclude with a clinical representative from MIT MyLife Services, who will review the supports available through their platform to support your mental health and promote self-care.
Presenters: Erin Terkoski Young, M.B.A., M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.; Behavioral Health Strategy Consultant
Anjala Manuelpillai, L.M.H.C.; KGA
Get Off the Blood Sugar Rollercoaster (A Two-Part Series)
Part One: Strategies to Balance Your Blood Sugar Levels
Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Ever feel “hangry”? Tired at 2:00pm? Hungry an hour after eating a meal or snack? You might be on a blood sugar rollercoaster. This webinar will cover the six strategies to balance out your blood sugar levels. You will leave with simple steps to eat healthier, stop the cravings, and feel more energized and happier.
Part Two: Live Cooking Demonstration
Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
As a follow-up to Strategies to Balance Your Blood Sugar Levels, join Heidi Roth, registered dietician, for a live cooking demonstration from her kitchen. Heidi will prepare two meals: a zucchini noodle skillet lasagna, and an arugula salad with almonds and strawberries. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact, and will receive the recipes following the webinar.
Please Note:
- You may attend both sessions in this series, but it is not required.
Presenter: Heidi Roth, R.D., L.D.N., B.S.; Owner, Heidi Roth Nutrition
Get to Know Your Work-Life and Wellbeing Resources at MIT
The MIT HR Center for WorkLife and WellBeing offers a wide range of programs and resources for benefits-eligible staff, faculty, and postdocs, which address specific life concerns and events. Join us to learn more about supports for parenting and child care, adult and senior care, school and educational needs, and personal wellbeing and mental health. These sessions are open to the entire MIT community, and will be offered on the following days and times:
- Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am
- Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Mental Health First Aid (A Two-Part Series)
Mental Health First Aid teaches individuals how to identify and understand signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in their workplace or community. The course provides a practical action plan for responding to an individual at any point during a mental health challenge. It is based on the philosophy that recovery from a mental health challenge is possible. By participating in this course, you will learn how to:
- Recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge
- Approach, assess, and assist someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis
- Refer a person to appropriate professional support for a mental health challenge
- Care for yourself while supporting a person who is experiencing a mental health challenge
- Describe the purpose of Mental Health First Aid and the role of the Mental Health First Aider
This two-part certification training program is open to MIT staff, faculty, and postdocs, and will be offered on the following days and times:
- Thursday, March 16, 2023 and Friday, March, 17, 2023 from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Tuesday, April 11, 2023 and Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
- Monday, June 12, 2023 and Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Please note: This course requires that participants complete two hours of a self-paced pre-work course prior to the first session. The virtual live session will be conducted in two parts. Participants must complete all pre-work and attend both sessions to receive certification in Mental Health First Aid.
Presenters:
Kristen Cascio, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.; Program Manager, MIT HR Center for WorkLife and WellBeing
Gayle Parker Wright, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.-R.
MIT MyLife Services (EAP) Program Overview
MIT MyLife Services is a comprehensive benefit available to MIT staff, faculty, postdocs, and their adult household members to support health and wellbeing. MIT MyLife Services provides direct services and vetted referrals via confidential, short-term counseling and work-life consultations. No matter your emotional or work-life needs, chances are the experts at MIT MyLife Services can assist. This informational session with MIT MyLife Services’ account manager, Lisa Dunderdale, will review the resources available and how to access the benefits. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to better understand the resources for themselves, their adult household members, or their teams. These sessions are open to the entire MIT community, and will be offered on the following days and times:
- Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Professional and Career Development Opportunities
Along with your personal wellbeing, MIT is committed to your professional and career development. Explore additional workshops and programs available through Human Resources.