In 2023, to ensure it was prioritizing the mental health and wellness of its campus community at the highest level, Temple University announced the creation of a new Health and Well-being Division.  

Since then, the division has implemented many initiatives and programs to improve the health and well-being of students and employees. Notably, last year, the Calm app was launched as a new benefit for employees and their families. Now, a new innovative initiative is underway as Temple has become the first university in the nation to offer the Human Sustainability Index Well-being Program (HSI) to its employees.  

This simple survey measures well-being, resilience and sustainability at the individual and organizational levels. It is utilized across a wide spectrum of industries, including technology, construction and real estate; retail and consumer goods; hospitality; healthcare; and others, but Temple will be the first institution of higher education that will make the index available.  

“This is something that [Vice President for Human Resources] Sharon [Boyle] and I have been working on for several years now,” said Mark Denys, associate vice provost for health and well-being. “Our goal has always been to ensure that this becomes something that is meaningful for Temple. The HSI is unique, as it’s not just a survey; it is more of a tool, and when someone completes this tool, they receive an individualized, confidential report that provides a thorough overview as it relates to their well-being.” 

From start to finish, the entire process, which has users provide information related to their everyday habits and practices, takes just 15 minutes to complete. The personalized report that users receive upon completion provides information related to eight different dimensions of well-being. The report also connects users directly to Temple benefits, resources and programs that help them improve and thrive in all areas of well-being. 

“While the HSI has been utilized at many corporate companies and businesses, the deployment method that we have created here at Temple is really unique,” Denys said. “So, let’s say that financial health comes up as an area that you need to focus on. The HSI report will take you directly to the financial page in the well-being portal, where users can learn about monthly PNC Bank seminars, virtual events and the resources that we offer through TIAA CREF and Fidelity Investments.” 

While individual data is strictly confidential and no one at Temple will receive anyone’s information but their own, Temple can use aggregate data to identify areas in which our employees at large may need help and develop programming that is more meaningful. That’s one of the features of the HSI that makes the program special. 

The launch of HSI is just one recent example of how Temple is working to enhance institutional support for the health and well-being of its community. Recently, all Temple employees were eligible for two free tickets to the Temple football Homecoming game. During that same week, employees also received a 25% discount at Temple’s new campus store. 

The Well-being tab in TUportal was also recently redesigned, making it easier for members of Temple community to navigate through the platform and access key benefits and resources. Additionally, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 21, employees can meet at the Owl by the Founder’s Garden at noon and 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday to join fellow colleagues for either a half-mile or mile walk around campus. 

“It was about three years ago where we really identified well-being as a key strategy that we needed to start investing in. This was shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which really shone a light on the importance of mental health and well-being," Boyle said. “The establishment of the Health and Well-being Division was step one for us, and this is another step. With the HSI, we really have an opportunity to help our employees from a preventative standpoint, as it is an innovative tool that has been used outside higher ed to date.” 

“This is also something that is always going to be a moving target for us, too, as prioritizing our community’s well-being is an ongoing goal,” Boyle said. “So, we plan to continue to explore other new things we can do to support our community and their well-being. Employee participation in this initiative will help inform our ongoing strategy as well as support individual goals, so we are hopeful that many will engage in the survey.” 

All Temple employees will receive an email message from [click-for-email] that will include instructions for exactly how they can sign up to participate in the HSI.  More information can be found on the Well-being page of the TUportal.