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August 2009
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EDITORIAL: The Wellness FactorMany organisations have designed Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) to respond to difficulties faced by staff, particularly those that have a negative effect on professional performance. At The University of the West Indies (UWI), we have a fairly broad EAP that offers counselling, therapy and information on many of the problems people face daily. We recognise that the challenges of modern life can cause a high level of pressure. Studies have shown that this, combined with an unhealthy lifestyle, contributes to a high incidence of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardio-vascular disease. During the CARICOM Summit on Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in 2007, these diseases were cited as the leading cause of premature mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean. Given the implication of such alarming statistics for human and financial resources in terms of the productive capacity and overall development of Caribbean countries, implementing proactive strategies to reverse this trend must be a priority. We are indeed mindful of our responsibility as a large employer, and The UWI St Augustine Campus has introduced a Wellness component to our EAP. In the middle of August, we launched the new Employee Assistance and Wellness Programme (EAWP) with a Wellness Fair on the Campus, blending information and services with a series of enjoyable activities. This new EAWP is designed to offer services that will help alleviate ailments engendered by stress and lifestyle patterns, so that our assistance to employees comes not only in times of crisis, but through continuous support and preventative care. The EAWP will focus on areas such as proper nutrition—by monitoring the food offered on the St Augustine Campus to ensure that it promotes healthy choices—and physical and sporting activity, which will be encouraged through a gym programme, seminars, clinic screenings, fairs and other activities. Enhancing related amenities, including the lighting of our grounds, is a work in progress. We believe that good health is central to optimal performance and productivity. Maintaining a healthy worklife balance is, therefore, essential and we are committed to supporting our staff and our students as we work towards achieving this goal in unison with our broader institutional goals.
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