GUIDANCERESOURCES®

GuidanceResources® is a fully integrated continuum of student assistance, work-life, behavioral health and wellness services which help individuals improve their behavioral and physical health and address personal, family and life issues. GuidanceResources® fuels high performance cultures, enabling colleges and universities to retain the best and the brightest, resulting in superior productivity and performance.

No matter what issue or personal concern an individual is facing - from emotional problems, relationship and family issues to legal, financial or wellness concerns, GuidanceResources® provides a team of professionals ready to help. Our consultative staff of behavioral specialists, work-life professionals, attorneys, financial experts, wellness professionals and concierges can be reached by phone, on the Web or in person - however desired.

In order to access this service please go to www.guidanceresources.com and click on the first time user button.  Enter Markel as your company/organization ID and then create your own confidential User Name and Password.  To access HealthyGuidance; click on "Health and Wellness" on the left column of the home page and then "HealthyGuidance" in the tip box on the "Health and Wellness page. You can also call 1-800-982-2401 to reach a consultant 24/7. 

24/7 Toll-Free Access to Masters and PhD Clinicians

Students have access 24-7 and may speak with masters- and PhD-degreed clinicians in social work, psychology, or behavioral health. Providing immediate care is our top priority, so callers never reach an answering service or automated telephone menu system.

This program seamlessly integrates all services under one umbrella for a uniquely holistic experience, which Markel offers its clients through GuidanceResources®.

GuidanceResources® Online is a comprehensive interactive service that provides individuals with instant guidance, information and helpful tools to address life issues, concerns and needs. Services include expert content personalization and security that creates a one-of-a-kind user experience. GuidanceResources® Online seamlessly integrates with our toll free telephone services to create a custom-tailored solution that offers students:

• Thousands of expert-reviewed articles, news and videos
• Tools, surveys and self-assessment questionnaires
• Easy navigation and search by topic, life event and keyword
• Confidential, one-on-one expert assistance and feedback
• Personalized, scenario-based content recommendations
• Interactive chats and message boards
• Directories of child-care, elder-care, legal and financial professionals
• Integration with intranet and HR portals

HealthyGuidance® is a holistic wellness program that targets behavior and lifestyles issues before they become significant illnesses. HealthyGuidance® empowers students to make healthy lifestyle changes - improving well-being, quality of life and ultimately preventing chronic health conditions

HealthyGuidance® provides guidance, encouragement and knowledge to the student through a battery of health tests, literature, comprehensive online health information, including personal health management tools and ongoing coaching. The offering complements the student health insurance plan through front-end resolution of health risks, identifying lifestyle and behavioral issues early that, if not addressed, could exacerbate or lead to diseased states.

The program includes

• Comprehensive health risk assessments
• Extensive health content
• Interactive electronic communications
• Wellness coaching with behavioral, health and nutritional experts
• Action-oriented wellness seminars
• Employer support through supervisor training

Comprehensive Web-based Information and Tools

Making informed decisions is much easier when you can access the right information. HealthyGuidance®, through GuidanceResources® Online, offers confidential access to health information, assessments and tools. Employees and their family members can:

• Complete a Health Profile and Medical History
• Arrange for diagnostic testing, through a designated laboratory
• Access a variety of Health Risk Assessments
• Research symptoms and health topics
• Receive current health news

Personal Wellness "Coaching"

Ultimately, students need to be accountable for their health. However, modifying one's behavior is not always easy. Often all one needs is a little help. To support change our Wellness- Consultants, who are all masters or doctoral clinicians experienced in behavioral counseling, registered dieticians, nutritionists or other health experts, provide wellness coaching. Through coaching, Wellness-Consultants are available to provide on-going support and feedback to participants, enabling them to take action and make healthy lifestyle changes, improving their health and quality of life.

Why Students Should Focus on Wellness

• Chronic disease accounts for more than 75% of total medical care expenditures in the U.S.
• 64% of adults are either overweight or obese—increasing their risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis-related disabilities and some types of cancer
• More than 50% of American adults do not get enough physical activity and 26% are not active at all
• Smoking causes one out of every six deaths from cardiovascular disease and is the #1 preventable cause of death

LegalConnect®

Many individuals report legal issues significant enough to cause them to miss work and school. Divorce, estate planning, lawsuits, bankruptcy, adoptions and personal injury all present time-consuming concerns that take away from productivity in the class room and in the workplace. LegalConnect provides immediate, confidential access to staff attorneys who are dedicated to providing practical and understandable information and assistance. Our program offers:

• Unlimited telephonic and online access to legal information by licensed attorneys
• Access to our credentialed nationwide network of lawyers for in-person consultation
• Referral to lawyers in the community at discounted fees
• Comprehensive resource database including self-help guides, low cost legal clinics and legal aid organizations 
• A wide variety of no-cost legal options

LegalConnect removes the distractions that legal issues may cause, helping employees stay productive in the workplace.

FinancialConnect®

Financial issues touch the life of every individual. Without the appropriate information or knowledge, these issues can become time-consuming and stressful, affecting class room productivity. FinancialConnect service provides access to financial experts in areas such as family budgeting, credit problems, tax questions, estate planning, investment options, insurance, money management and retirement planning. Our program provides:

With FinancialConnect, students receive tailored information and resources to take the right steps and address their financial concerns.

Student Assist Program (SAP) is a confidential service provided through Markel is designed to help students early on with personal difficulties such as emotional problems, substance abuse, relationship and family crises, and legal and financial worries–before they manifest into problems in the workplace. Getting students the right help at the right time results in better focus in the class room, greater productivity, less absenteeism, and reduced medical costs.  This program addresses the many complexities of life with help for everyday issues such as: 

• Managing stress
• Family/spousal relationships
• A poor economy
• Surviving grief and loss
• Energizing a career
• Dealing with an illness/trauma