Parenting and Caregiving

This month, we provide resources to support parents and caregivers in doing their best to raise and protect the next generation, while nurturing their own wellbeing.

View the tools and resources from Optum below.

Empower yourself: It’s natural to want to be a positive force in your child’s life. An important way to do that is to be a positive force in your own life. Read more & view worksheet

A quick guide to preventing bullying: At some point in their school years, many children and adolescents will experience bullying — whether as the victim, the bully or both. Parents and caregivers can help prevent bullying and, when it occurs, help youth cope — whichever side of it they’re on. Read article

Helping yourself feel more connected and supported: When you’re taking care of children or other loved ones, it can be easy to lose sight of your own needs. You also may feel out of touch with your adult friends, culture and career. Read article

Tips for fathers on being the kind of dad you want to be: There is no one way to be a father or a mother, as parenting roles depend on the person, family dynamic, and controllable and uncontrollable circumstances. But in any case, one of the best ways you can nurture your child’s wellbeing is to invest in them and your own wellbeing. Read article

Tips for helping youth use social media: Friends and family are just a click, invite or request to follow away. While this can bring people closer together and help youth build social networks, it also can place them in vulnerable situations and cause distress. Learn tips to use social media responsibly and mindfully and help them avoid pitfalls. Read article

Optum EAP

The Optum Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free service for all full-time state employees and those in their household and can be a beneficial tool to improve your overall well-being. You have 8 free face-to-face EAP counseling visits with a licensed therapist available per issue, per year. These tools and resources are available 24/7 and are completely confidential.

Contact Optum

EAP Phone: (800) 886-9747 (24/7 support)

Website: liveandworkwell.com (Access code: Indiana)
Access all the Optum EAP online tools and resources.

Connect through the Optum Assist app
Available in the App Store and Google Play. Log into the app and enter access code: Indiana