MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Finding Connection and Community by K athryn D istler
• Ongoing Support We provide resources that help employees achieve mental wellness in a stigma-free culture where self-ex- pression is celebrated. LESSONS IN RESILIENCE As healthcare marketers, we face immense demands. My journey and AbelsonTaylor Group’s initiatives are a power- ful reminder that mental health is a shared responsibility. By embracing mindfulness, fostering psychological safety, Prioritizing Mental Health (Continued from page 6) The collaborative nature of this work continually revi- talizes and reinvigorates me. It also gives me the oppor tunity to leverage professional skills, like strategic commu- nications planning, in different ways, helping me come to work with a fresh perspective and new ideas. MAKING IT WORK… I am grateful to work at a company like Initiative, where we are provided with opportunities to explore our passions outside of work in order to show up as our authentic best selves. In addition to company-sponsored events focused on professional development, health and wellness, and philanthropy, Initiative employees may take one “Well- ness Day” per month to rest and recharge or participate in hobbies. We also have a program called “Marinate Cul- W hile the rise of remote and hybrid working models in recent years came with many advantages, I have found the lack of daily in-person interaction to be challenging at times. In addition to establishing rou- tines and making sure I am moving my body on those long WFH (work from home) days, it has been extremely important for my mental health to combat isolation by seeking out connection and community close to home. POST-PANDEMIC ENGAGEMENT As the world started to open back up post-COVID, I became involved with the Community House of Moorestown, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as a community hub in my town, joining the Board of Trustees in 2023. In this role, I have run fundraisers and facili- tated events like book exchanges and free outdoor yoga classes. Working with other community stakeholders and organizations, we cultivate civic engagement and bring people together in this post-pandemic era that can still feel fragmented and hard to navigate.
tureship,” which awards employees with grants that can be used towards learning and exploration – whether that means anything from becoming a certified scuba diver to learning a new language or taking an art class. These Wellness Days and a 2024 Cultureship grant empowered me to pursue my extracurricular volunteer projects, affording me both the time I needed to take on this work and helping to defray the costs of putting togeth- er this programming.
Check with your company’s HR team to learn about their existing philanthropic initiatives or see how they can support you in creating something new! WE ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS WHO NEED CONNECTION TO THRIVE I would encourage anyone struggling with loneliness or isolation, looking to make new friends, or interested in exploring a new hobby to volunteer. Join a committee. Show up for a park cleanup. Volunteer to
Highlights from a recent community event.
help a small organization with their social media or mar- keting. Sign up to read at a senior center. At worst, you’ll have a nice day. You may even find a new passion or group of friends! For those local to major metropolitan areas, organi- zations like New York Cares make it easy to find nearby volunteer opportunities that align with your interests and calendar. Township websites and Facebook Groups are another great place to learn more about organizations you can support in your community.
Kathryn Distler is Director, HCP Planning, Ini- tiative. She can be reached at 856-220-1614 or Kathryn.Distler@umj3.com.
and offering robust support systems, organizations can create environments where employees thrive – both profes- sionally and personally.
Jeremy Vannatta is Vice President, Account Director, AbelsonTaylor Group. He can be reached at Jeremy.Vannatta@abelsontaylorgroup. com or 312-894-5575.
MARCH 2025
THE EXCHANGE 7
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