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Wellness Unit

Group shot of MDOC's Wellness Unit and their service dogs.

Wellness Unit

PLEASE NOTE 

The Wellness Unit supports the wellness of the MDOC community and the well-being of those who serve.

The Unit will respond ONLY to MDOC employees, retirees, and MDOC staff family members.  The Unit is unable to respond to inmate related questions or concerns.

Those wishing to contact the MDOC regarding an inmate will find information on our CONTACT MDOC page.

The MDOC Wellness Unit provides professional and confidential wellness services to employees, retirees, and eligible family members. Licensed psychologists, Chaplain, and other clinicians are available to support, guide, and assist members of the MDOC community. Whether a crisis response or seeking help, the MDOC Wellness Unit is here to assist.

MDOC Wellness Unit services are voluntary and provided free of charge. 

 Available MDOC Wellness services:

  • 24/7 Help Line
  • CONFIDENTIAL consultations
  • CONFIDENTIAL brief counseling
  • Wellness workshops, presentations, and educational opportunities

Additional MDOC Wellness Resources:

  • Peer Support Program (PSP)
  • Employee Chaplain Program (ECP)
  • MDOC Wellness App (for access information, contact the Wellness Unit.) 

Contact the MDOC Wellness Unit:

You can also contact:

Additional resource information:

Work-Life Services is available through the Employee Services Program website to assist State of Michigan employees and their eligible family members manage the demands of work and personal life. The Work-Life Services offers a variety of services dealing with family, childcare, eldercare, physical fitness/wellness, mental fitness, financial services, domestic violence, and legal services.

Group shot of MDOC's Wellness Unit and their service dogs.
Meet the MDOC Employee Wellness Unit
A golden retriever laying down next to a labradoodle.

Handel and Franklin, who offer value by effecting a sense of calm and change, by naturally connecting with employees, and by providing effective crisis response.

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MDOC Employee Chaplain Program

Mission Statement:

“The Employee Chaplains of the Michigan Department of Corrections will be ever ready to provide entrusted, confidential spiritual guidance and emotional support to those who serve.”

 

The Mission of the Employee Chaplain Program:

The Michigan Department of Corrections and the MDOC Wellness Unit have recognized the value of providing ways for employees, family members, and retirees to cope with personal and professional stressors. A successful enhancement to this approach will be to provide a program that offers spiritual support.  The MDOC Employee Chaplain Program (ECP) is in addition to the wellness services provided by the MDOC Wellness Unit and the MDOC Peer Support Program. The MDOC ECP is composed of qualified volunteer religious leaders (clergy) who are specially trained in law enforcement/corrections chaplaincy. Chaplain services are available to any MDOC employee, eligible family members, and retirees. 


What is the purpose of the Employee Chaplain Program? 

The purpose of the Employee Chaplain Program (ECP) is to offer assistance and appropriate spiritual support to all MDOC employees, eligible family members, and retirees when personal or professional stressors negatively impact their lives. This assistance is confidential and meets the confidentiality standards described within this document and the Confidentiality Agreement (page 32).

The Chaplain Program provides resources for employees to reach out and “talk-out” their problems with a spiritual guide who understands and wants to help. In addition to their religious education and experience, Chaplains are trained to use active listening skills, help clarify issues, explore options, assist with the problem-solving process, and provide approved wellness, faith-based referrals, and resources when needed.  The Chaplain Coordinator will maintain oversight of all Chaplain volunteers.  The Chaplain Coordinator and clinicians will provide guidance and consultation to the Chaplain volunteers when support is needed or requested.

The Chaplain’s role is not one of a professional counselor or a therapist, but one who will LISTEN, ASSESS, and, when necessary, REFER to the Wellness Unit or to a designated referral source, including the Employee Service Program (ESP) or other approved community wellness resources. Chaplain members are selected for their qualifications, qualities, and abilities. These Chaplains are caring individuals who have the compassion to support others. Employee Chaplain participation is strictly on a voluntary basis.

Working in Corrections is a demanding profession. At times, the stress of the job, along with other life issues, may increase to the point where it may be difficult to cope with it alone. The reality is we all can use a little help every now and then. The accumulation of stress negatively affects the health and well-being of our employees to varying degrees. The impact of the distressed employee may be felt by many. The Chaplain has been specially trained to help address these stressors in a natural and confidential manner.  

For further information, please see the “Frequently Asked Questions” below or contact us at MDOC-EmployeeChaplains@michigan.gov. If you know of a religious leader (clergy) that might be interested in volunteering as an employee chaplain, please complete the below referral form and send it to the email address above. 


Employee Chaplain FAQs
Employee Chaplain Referral Form

 

 

 

 

 

MDOC Peer Support Program

Mission Statement:

“Strengthening the wellness of the MDOC Community through entrusted, confidential peer-to-peer relationships.”

 

The Mission of the Peer Support Program:

The Michigan Department of Corrections and the MDOC Wellness Program have recognized the value of providing a way for their employees, retirees, and eligible family members to deal with personal and professional stressors. A successful enhancement to this approach will be to provide a program that offers peer support in addition to the wellness services provided by the MDOC Wellness Unit. The Peer Support Program is composed of MDOC employees who have been nominated by their colleagues, reviewed and selected by the Wellness Unit, and specially trained in peer support. Peer support services are available to any MDOC employee, retiree, and eligible family member.

What is the purpose of the Peer Support Program?

The purpose of the MDOC Peer Support Program is to offer assistance and appropriate support resources to all employees when personal or professional problems negatively impact their lives. This assistance is confidential on the condition that it meets the confidentiality standards described within this document and the Confidentiality Agreement.

The Peer Support Program provides a way for employees to “talk-out” their problems with specially trained co-workers who understand and want to help. The Peer Support Persons (PSP) are trained to use active listening skills, help clarify issues, explore options, assist with the problem-solving process, and refer to a Wellness Program Coordinator as appropriate.

The PSP role is not one of a counselor or a therapist, but one who will LISTEN, ASSESS, and, when necessary, REFER to a Wellness Coordinator. Team members are selected for their experience and personal qualities. These team members are caring individuals who have the compassion to support others. Participation is strictly on a voluntary basis.

Working in Corrections has always been a demanding profession. At times, the stress of the job increases to the point where it may be difficult to cope with it alone. The reality is we all can use a little help every now and then. The accumulation of the stress negatively affects the health and well-being of our employees to varying degrees, but the impact of the distressed employee may be felt by all. The PSP has been specially trained to help address these stressors in a natural and confidential manner. 

What does a Peer Support Person do?

Almost everyone has experienced or will experience, a stressful situation in his/her lifetime. It is during these times that family and friends may be there to help. They can provide needed support and understanding in overcoming life’s problems. The Peer Support Program is one of those “friends” who are available to every employee, retiree, and eligible family member (for purposes of services, eligible family members are defined as spouses, children, or stepchildren under 21 years of age) of the Michigan Department of Corrections.

 

Peer Support FAQs
Peer Support Nomination Form

How Do I Find a Mental Health Provider?

Many people benefit from professional counseling services from time to time. But how do you find a good fit with a mental health provider?  Do not worry.  You are not alone.  For those seeking such assistance, we want to provide some resources and information to help guide you through the process and some questions to answer when considering a counselor.

An available resource for SOM employees is the Employee Service Program (ESP). In addition to offering individual consultation, assessment, and follow-up services, the members of the ESP team are available to assist you with finding treatment or other mental health resources within your area. They will help you through the referral process by locating in-network providers who are a good match for your needs and preferences and have appointments available.

ESP is a confidential program available to all State of Michigan employees and their eligible family members for assistance with personal and work-related concerns. ESP services are available 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays). The Employee Services Program can be reached at 1-800-521-1377.

Confidential  •  No Cost  •  Voluntary

If you are independently seeking out a mental health provider, it is important to consider in-network insurance referrals.  Contact information for the various SOM insurance healthcare providers can be found here.

Finding a good fit with a mental health professional is important.   We encourage you take the time to find a professional whom you can trust and assist you or your loved one. Good mental health professionals are open to your questions.  They want you to find the best professional support as well.

Consider these questions prior to searching for a mental health professional:

  • Am I more comfortable with a male or female therapist?
  • What are their specialties?
  • Do I want to talk to a faith-based professional?
  • What distance from my home/ work to the provider is feasible?
  • How do I think counseling may help?
  • What are my goals for counseling?
  • What might family and/or friends who have seen a counselor say? Could they have a referral?
  • Do they take my insurance? What are my “out-of-pocket” costs?
  • Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?

Suggested questions to ask the mental health provider:

  • Are you licensed, and how long have you been practicing?

Note that some research shows the longer the counselor has been practicing, the better the outcome for you.

  • How have you worked with the issues I am experiencing?
  • What experience have you had in working with corrections/law enforcement officers or staff?
  • How comfortable am I when talking with this counselor and their staff?
  • In what ways do this counselor and their staff respect my individuality, opinions, etc.?
  • Do I feel comfortable in the counselor’s office?
  • How do I feel when meeting the counselor?
  • Can I learn to trust this counselor?
  • Am I able to trust my intuition when choosing my counselor?
Updated: 02/09/23