Together for Mental Health at Vena

This October, Vena’s Mental Health employee-run resource group is dedicating the entire month to raising mental health awareness and cultivating support in our workplace. The theme for the month is, “Together for Mental Health at Vena.”




This is the second consecutive year the employee-run resource group—what we call a Vena resource group (VRG) in our organization—is committed to amping up its ongoing efforts to promote mental health awareness and to raise our voices against stigma in a month-long campaign.

“It is all of our responsibility to reduce the stigma of mental health conversations in the workplace every day. But we wanted to do more. Setting aside a month each year to highlight the importance of this work and to make it a top priority can make a huge impact on the overall health and happiness of employees—at work and at home,” says Jean Goldsmith, Mental Health Co-chair and Director, Learning & Development at Vena.

"Setting aside a month each year to highlight the importance of this work and to make it a top priority can make a huge impact on the overall health and happiness of employees—at work and at home.”
                                                                       —Jean Goldsmith
                                                                          Mental Health Co-chair and Director,                                                                                        Learning & Development at Vena

Mental Illness Awareness Week 

The month-long celebrations are in recognition of World Mental Health Day and Mental Illness Awareness Week. Each week will kick off with a Well-Being Monday, an opportunity for Venanites to start their week off with balance, calm and a healthy state of mind. Some planned activities include practicing gratitude, getting in the flow state (art explorations and bullet journalling) and stress relief tips for parents and kids. 

Mindfulness and Meditation

Tuesdays will be devoted to the sharing of Headspace tips. This year, Vena was excited to offer our employees a subscription to Headspace, the digital mindfulness program that offers more personalized support, guidance, tools and access to mental health and wellness resources. The app also provides support for parents/caregivers and their children. (Learn more about our wellness-first workplace here.)

Mid week, meditation sessions will be offered by Greg Jones, the Mental Health VRG’s other Co-chair and Director, Facilities at Vena.

“We wanted to promote the idea that the workplace doesn’t have to be a place filled with anxiety and stress. With the right tools and support, it can be an ideal place for mindfulness and meditation. Finding time in your day to meditate at work helps reduce stress while boosting focus, energy and productivity,” says Greg.


“We wanted to promote the idea that the workplace doesn’t have to be a place filled with anxiety and stress. With the right tools and support, it can be an ideal place for mindfulness and meditation."
                                                                     —Greg Jones
                                                                         Mental Health Co-chair and Director,                                                                                         Facilities at Vena                                                                                          

Mental Health Professionals

Each week will also feature various talks along with lunch and learn sessions given by health and wellness professionals working in different fields:

• Marie-Claire Conlin, Education Specialist, Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use (GGTU) at CAMH, will be hosting a talk on digital well-being and burnout.
• Dr. Merry Lin, Clinical Psychologist, Author and Podcaster will host a session on the seven forms of rest.
• Chris Coulter, Co-Executive Director, HowAreYouFeeling.org, will give a talk on helping kids understand their feelings as the key to a satisfying life.
• Meghan Lloyd, Registered Social Worker and experienced Psychotherapist, MA, MSW, RSW, will be hosting a talk on navigating transitions and anxiety.
  
  
                                  Image: Courtesy of Marie-Claire Conlin
  
  
  

Mental Health and Laughter

The Mental Health VRG is also excited to bring all Venanites together for an evening of fun and laughs as they present their second annual Virtual Comedy Night.

Hosted by Marlena Kaesler and featuring guests, including Amy Yu, Gordon Hecht, Rush Kazi, Ada Nicolle, Andy Wong, Elizabeth Rasiuk, Matthew Ardill and headliner Marc Hallworth—all mental health advocates—the evening promises to delight the audience as the comedians share their own personal tales and struggles with mental health.

“We want to remind everyone that it’s okay to laugh about mental health,” says Marlena Keasler. “Using humor to engage our audiences in discussions about mental health helps reduce the stigma.”

Image: Courtesy of Rush Kazi


Image: Courtesy of Amy Yu

Image: Courtesy of Marc Hallworth

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