Executive Director's May Message

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. You will be receiving weekly emails that explain why good mental health matters.

Caring for your mental health and well-being is of the utmost importance. It can be uncomfortable to experience mental health symptoms and can be a challenge to ask for help. Mental health issues may not resolve themselves or go away on their own.

• Awareness leads to taking action. If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health issues and need help, don’t wait. Reach out for help now. You may discuss your emotional well-being with your medical provider or access available mental health counselors through your health plan.
• Active employees can connect with the Employee Assistance Program 24/7 to make an appointment to talk to a licensed therapist.
• Visit our CredibleMind page to learn effective ways to manage your stress or anxiety and take evidence-based assessments to help you understand what you may be experiencing.
• Attend our Well-Being classes and programs to help you feel, live, and be better, every day.

Navigating the new normal like determining when to wear a mask and when not to wear one and transitioning back into the office can be stressful. Give yourself permission to be good to yourself and find ways to restore balance into your life.

I am so grateful for the longer daylight hours right now that give me the energy to rise early enough to get my exercise in before my workday begins.

As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, I recognize that proven Asian traditions like Tai Chi and Qi Gong are now mainstream mental health practices that teach us to attend to our well-being through breathing and graceful movement.

I encourage us all to learn more about our AAPI community, which includes people from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands and to look for the many events and celebrations during the month of May in the spirit of inclusion that we value.

Be well,
Abbie Yant, RN, MA