As a health and well-being organization, WesleyLife is committed to the holistic wellness of its team members. Just in time for World Mental Health Day last year, Krista Van Hooser-Perin and her team took that commitment a step further by inaugurating an initiative designed to change the conversation around mental health throughout WesleyLife. Today, as we observe World Mental Health Day, the program is in full swing.
Krista, WesleyLife's Director of Organizational Learning, has been certified by the National Council for Mental Well-Being as an adult mental health first-aid virtual instructor. She offers the mental health first-aid course several times a year to team members throughout WesleyLife.
"It's helpful to think of the program as CPR for mental health," Krista, who has been with WesleyLife for eight years, says. "It trains people to recognize and pay attention to symptoms of mental health challenges, how to assess what's happening, and how to connect people with mental health professionals."
Krista became interested in the course after hearing about it at a conference. She and her team members discussed it and decided to become certified, then teach the eight-hour course to WesleyLife leaders and clinical team members.
Eventually, the course will be opened up to all WesleyLife residents, clients, and partners. Certification lasts for two years.
"Like all organizations, we've seen increases in mental-health challenges since the pandemic; that was a time of collective trauma, with many people living in a constant state of fear," Krista says.
"We didn't always have or make the time to deal with our mental health, and when you carry trauma with you, it puts you at risk for all kinds of health-related issues."
Krista says her goal in establishing the program at WesleyLife was to teach team members to notice if a fellow team member is struggling, and to take steps to help that person.
"It's intimidating for many people to consider just how they'll start that conversation," Krista says. "We'll talk about what to look for; it can be as straightforward as walking into a meeting and noticing that a fellow team member might not be acting like themselves or that they don't look as put-together as they normally do.
"We'll go over how to approach the conversation and about best practices as they relate to the resources that are available. We'll even go over asking, 'Would you like me to sit with you as we make this call for assistance together?'"
Krista says ultimately, she hopes the program further enhances WesleyLife's organizational culture.
"Just as we wouldn't ignore and walk past someone who had physically collapsed, my hope is that people will be able to not ignore and walk past someone who needs mental or emotional assistance," Krista says. "It's all about noticing and knowing what to do before something becomes a process.
"We have highly skilled, compassionate team members, and I am pleased they are embracing these tools!"
