You Are Not Alone: Encouraging Understanding, Empathy and Dialogue on Mental Illness
May 11, 2021
Those who suffer with mental illness often struggle with both the condition and the unfortunate stigma around it. While understanding and empathy around mental illness have grown exponentially, there is still a prevalence among many who suffer to do so in silence given confusion, fear or even embarrassment. During National Mental Health Awareness Month, we are committed to supporting those who are afflicted with mental illness while encouraging their confidence in reaching out to their family, friends and community for support.
As part of these efforts, and our commitment to promote equitable and ethical treatment for all, we are proud to announce new relationships with two organizations making important advances in this area.
United Way of Summit County 211 Program: We are proud to support the local implementation of this important program which offers a free, confidential service available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents can simply dial 211 or text their zip code to 898-211. In 2020, United Way’s 211 program answered 84,380 calls and texts for help from Summit and Medina County residents. Within two weeks of Ohio’s first reported case of COVID-19, calls to 211 surged 273 percent. And throughout the pandemic, 211 continued to support residents with up-to-date public health information, free deliveries from local food pantries, free financial coaching and more.
National Council for Behavioral Health: The National Council for Behavioral Health is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. We will be supporting the organization’s Mental Health First Aid USA which offers skills based training to help those who want to offer help identify, understand and respond.
Both organizations are now part of our Company match program. Along with our corporate contribution, we will match employee contributions dollar-for-dollar (up to $2,500 per year).
In addition to supporting these organizations, we have taken this occasion to promote education among our employees.
One powerful example of how this came to life is a panel discussion featuring employees who have dealt with mental illness, personally or in support of family or friends, bravely stepping forward to share their experiences. The ability to hear about these experiences firsthand helps us to better understand and empathize with the realities of mental illness which supports our ability to offer meaningful support. Also, just as importantly, creating a forum to speak openly is a reminder to those dealing with mental illness that they have support and a work family that truly cares for them.
For further education, we have shared the following resources with our employees. We offer these here for further exploration, in case they are of interest: