Well-being can be a challenge during the rigors of post-graduate training. It's important to take care of yourself, physically and mentally, so you can fully fully participate in education and patient care. The MaineHealth Department of Medical Education is committed to the well-being of our employees, residents and fellows.
Well-being resources and support
Grant funding is available to support resident and fellow well-being initiatives. Grants are usually between $200 and $500 dollars, but larger amounts may be considered based on project merit. Complete this form to submit a grant application.
Examples of items that have been funded:
• Development of a free store for residents and fellows that is eventually self-funded through recycling
• Building and implementing programmatic wellbeing curriculum (ex. Culinary medicine curriculum)
• Efforts that enhance mindfulness or resiliency (ex. retreats, courses, podcasts, speakers, workshops)
• Lessons that expand learners’ knowledge or outdoor skills (ex. Skiing and Kayaking)
• Community based interventions that focus on enhancing wellness through philanthropic efforts and volunteerism (collaborating with Maine needs to assemble community kits)
• Physical fitness programs or classes that are focused on the health and wellness of a team and have the potential to continue after grant cycle has ended (starting a cycling or running club)
Examples of items that are out of scope:
• Equipment or upgrades for call rooms and work rooms such as cables, monitors, bedding, chairs)
• Individual clothing or swag
• One-time social events without a skill building, team building, or mentorship component (e.g. night out for residents or fellows)
• Personal equipment such as apples watches, fitness tracking devices
• Lack of ongoing sustainability (e.g. paying for one month membership, but lack of plan for future funding)
Consider using one of these anonymous self-assessment tools if you are wondering about your behavioral health. Use of these tools is completely anonymous. If you are concerned about your results, please contact your primary care provider or call the MaineHealth Employee Assistance Program at 833-657-2104.
Alcohol Use - Learn about the symptoms of alcohol use disorder and how to rethink drinking.
Burnout - This confidential questionnaire can help you screen yourself for symptoms of burnout. It will help you identify feelings and experiences you have about your work, so that you can get a feel for whether you might be vulnerable to burnout.
Depression - Use this online tool to screen for depression.
Self-compassion - Are you being kind and loving toward yourself? Learn more with this online self-compassion assessment.
Stress - Understand how stress can hurt, and take an online stress online assessment.
Suicide - Are you experiencing suicidal ideation? Use this online tool to assess your risk.
Free counseling
Talkspace is a virtual service that connects MaineHealth care team members with licensed mental health providers for counseling and therapy. Talkspace supports a wide range of needs including: stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use disorder, sleep, identity struggles, chronic issues, trauma and grief, relationships, healthy living and more.
How does Talkspace work?
1. Tell Talkspace what you're looking for. First, you'll indicate your needs and preferences for therapy. Keep in mind that Talkspace is confidential, secure and private.
2. Get matched. You'll be matched with a therapist within 48 hours.
3. Message with your therapist — on your schedule. Once matched, you can begin to send text messages to your therapist, who will check in daily, five days per week. You'll always connect with the same therapist, unless you request to switch. Each week of chat therapy counts as one of your free sessions.
4. Meet with your therapist virtually. You also have the option to meet with your therapist online for 30-minute televideo sessions. Each meeting counts as one of your free sessions.
Get started at resourcesforliving.com (user name: MaineHealth, password: MaineHealth) or call toll-free 833-657-2104.
Talkspace: Self-Guided
MaineHealth care team members and dependents have unlimited access to Talkspace: Self-Guided, helping you thrive at home and at work. This tool offers clinically supported programs that utilize the most effective therapeutic approaches on topics like stress, sleep, focus, burnout, anxiety, parenting and building resiliency. You have free access to over 400 guided programs; join a live therapist-led virtual class or explore hundreds of hours of on-demand sessions. Learn more about Talkspace: Self-Guided.
Employee Assistance Program
The MaineHealth Resources for Living Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is free and available to all MaineHealth care team members and household family members, whether or not they participate in our health plan. Children living away from home are covered up to age 26. Services are confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This program is designed to support your health, well-being and daily life assistance especially during challenging times
- Phone: 833-657-2104
- Email: answers@healthadvocate.com
- Web: resourcesforliving.com (user name: MaineHealth, password: MaineHealth)
Psychology and Psychiatry Support
MaineHealth is committed to ensuring confidential mental health care is available to residents and fellows. While there are several ways to establish such care in the Portland area, including the MaineHealth Employee Assistance Program, the Department of Graduate Medical Education can arrange free confidential care here on our campus. If you need to access services, a physician or medication, contact: Daniel Price, MD, Psychiatry Residency Training Director
Peer-to-Peer
The MHMMC Peer support program is designed to pair residents or fellows with one of the peer supporters to facilitate free, friendly, and confidential discussion. This program was started in 2021 to support providers during times of emotional stress, including but not limited to adverse patient events, critical incidences, and personal or professional events. Individuals may refer themselves to the program or may be referred by a concerned colleague. Several residents have completed the training and are active peer to peer support volunteers.
- For more information, please email Christine Hein at Christine.Hein@mainehealth.org
- For referrals, please use this confidential email: peertopeer@mmc.org
Lactation Rooms
Lactation rooms are available throughout the Coulombe Family Tower, where our Family Birth Center is located.
Portland Nannies
Portland Nannies can pair your family with a nanny. They also have a roster of vetted babysitters for emergency childcare needs.
MaineHealth residents and fellows enjoy free 24/7 access to Workout Anytime nationwide!
Workout Anytime Portland Downtown
511 Congress Street, Suite 12
Portland, Maine 04101
To sign up for a membership, bring your MaineHealth ID badge, and visit the Portland location. The gym has a list of all current MHMMC residents/fellows, and will compare your ID badge to the list. Please reach out to GMEResidentWellness@mainehealth.org with any questions.
Provider stress and burnout is no myth. The DocExecutive support program addresses feelings of imbalance, stress, confusion and frustration. Sessions are confidential and the agenda is set by you.
Restore resilience and balance
We understand the unique stressors that medicine introduces and know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed. MaineHealth provides up to four DocExecutive sessions at no cost to you.
Learn more at docexecutive.com.
Contact Christine.Hein@mainehealth.org, Kristen.Sciacca@mainehealth.org or GMEMedEd@mainehealth.org for a referral. Self-referrals are also available by calling 207-926-4117.
Education Assistance Benefits
From tuition assistance and scholarships to ongoing education, leadership training, mentoring, and promotion opportunities, explore our Total Rewards resources to help you achieve your career goals. Learn more.
Meditation
We offer a meditation room in the Coulombe Family Tower on the 1st floor.
Chaplain Services
Our chapel is located in the Maine General Building on the 1st floor.
Well-being Tools and Resources
Well-being is different for everyone, whether it's becoming more active, focusing on work/life balance, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, practicing meditation or mindfulness, working towards a balanced eating patterns or spending time with family.
MaineHealth supports your well-being journey with tools and programs designed to meet your needs at different points in your life.
Get help now
- Employee Assistance Program: 833-657-2104
- National Suicide Helpline: Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
- Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline: 888-568-1112
- MaineHealth Behavioral Health: 844-292-0111
Well-being grants
MaineHealth residents, fellows, trainee clubs and interest groups may apply for well-being activity grant funds. Typical grants are $200 - $500 dollars. We may consider larger grants based on merit.
Here for you
Do you have a resident/fellow well-being program question, suggestion or concern? Contact the Graduate Medical Education Well-Being Subcommittee.