The Headspace emotional support app is a new benefit for UNC System Office full-time, benefit-eligible employees that provides on-demand emotional and mental health support at no cost to you. Within seconds of downloading the app (available from the Apple and Google Play stores), you can be chatting in real time with a behavioral health coach – a trained professional with an advanced degree and/or coaching certification. Or, if you need more support, a licensed therapist or psychiatrist can be added to your care team.

From financial pressures to workplace stress and family dealings, life can be challenging. If you need help with life issues, personalized assistance from the UNC System Office Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available 24 hours a day. The EAP is a confidential counseling and resource program that is designed to help University employees and their families deal with both personal and work-related concerns.

To reach the EAP, call 877-823-5715 or use the instructions below to access the website.

1. Go to Guidance Resources.
2. At the home page, click “I am a first-time user.”
3. At the top of the next page, enter the Organization Web ID (UNC) and complete the remainder of the boxes with your desired username and password and other requested information.

The State Health Plan offers online wellness benefits and resources to active members to ensure you are getting the best from your medical benefits. Many are free or at a low cost and include preventive care, maternity, nutrition management, and behavioral health, in addition to a personal health portal to assess health risks and engage in healthy activities. Visit the State Health Plan website to learn more about these offerings.

System Office staff members may have the tuition cost waived for up to three academic courses per academic year at a University of North Carolina constituent institution. Institutions generally also waive the fees associated with the course tuition. You must be eligible to participate in the state retirement programs (TSERS or ORP) to use this benefit.

Tuition waivers can be applied to most courses offered at UNC institutions. However, institutions may exclude courses in certain specialty programs that are self-supporting.

In addition, you may be eligible for reimbursement of academic costs, if funds are available, and/or time off if the course is available only during working hours. Talk with your manager for more information.

• The academic course or degree program must be job-related and provided by an accredited institution to qualify for this program.
• This is a reimbursement program; the employee must pay for the course upfront.
• Covered academic costs include in-state tuition, fees and course/lab fees.
• Management may approve educational leave up to 5 credit hours in an academic term or approve extended educational leave, with or without pay.