USA Health to offer mental health support, activities next week
For Mental Health Month, the Spiritual Care Department and the Employee Assistance Program are teaming up to give USA Health employees tools to support self-care, manage stress and more.
Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Month to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives. To reinforce this, USA Health will be offering education and support on how to improve mental health this month at Children’s & Women’s Hospital and University Hospital.
Offered by the Spiritual Care Department and the Employee Assistance Program, mental health awareness days will be held from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at each hospital as follows:
- Monday, May 15
USA Health University Hospital
Café Conference Room
- Tuesday, May 16
USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital
Multipurpose Room & Spiritual Care Office, 1st Floor
Beginning at 9 a.m. and every 15 minutes each hour, the following sessions will rotate in order:
- 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m.
Yoga – Tailored to You!
Michelle Ryan, Marketing Specialist and E-RYT-200 Yoga Instructor
- 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m.
Stress Reduction Techniques
Fletcher Eaton, Employee Assistance Program Manager
- 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
Laughter Yoga, Mindfulness & Sound Therapy
Chaplain Kim Crawford Meeks, Spiritual Care Manager
Other opportunities include pet therapy, rock painting, and private online mental health screenings for depression, anxiety, PTSD and stress. Other resources for ongoing support will be available.
This year’s Mental Health America theme for Mental Health Month is “Look Around, Look Within,” and the intention is to encourage awareness of how surroundings affect mental health. Among the factors affecting mental health are safe housing, access to healthcare, clean spaces, creating bonds with neighbors and community, and connecting with nature.
Free, private screenings are available at mhascreening.org to help provide assessments and directions for seeking support. USA Health’s Employee Assistance Program offers confidential assistance with counseling visits or referrals to community providers with issues including anxiety, depression, and stress; grief, loss, and life adjustments; relationship/marital conflicts; job stress and burnout; or other issues.
