Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace, New Hires and Upcoming Park Day!
Asana Recovery Weekly Team Update May 16 , 2023
Training Tools
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
There are many good reasons to focus on supporting mental health (both your own and your coworkers), besides the fact that May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
For starters, we spend roughly 70% of our time at work. We might as well enjoy it - or, at least, put effort into improving how we feel during that time!
Secondly, for many people, work is a primary source of stress. To avoid the damaging effects that stress has on our health, personal lives and professional performance, it behooves workers to support their mental health at work.
The good news is that many of the things you do to support your mental health outside of work - such as practicing gratitude and cultivating mindfulness - usually help support your mental health at work. So, keep it up!
In addition, here are some skills more tailored to a work setting, from Jason Boone in his blog Maintaining Mental Health in the Workplace:
Be Coachable. Being able to take a step back to ask for help and pay attention to feedback isn’t easy, but it’s critical in striving towards that best version of yourself.
Commit to Consistency. Your mind is just another muscle, and to get to the results you want you’ll need to consistently train the same way you would focus on any other muscle group in the gym. This gets easier as you learn to love the journey itself — not just the destination.
Be Courteous. Practicing courtesy supports a top level of mental wellness - it’s about putting out the energy you want to receive. (It doesn’t hurt to be courteous to yourself too!)
Addressing Work Problems
Many other skills we’ve covered in Training Tools will also help support mental health in the workplace, simply by providing healthy ways to deal with problems at work. These include:
Resources for Supporting Your Mental Health
If you find yourself struggling with mental health issues despite your best efforts, you may want to seek professional support.
Tips from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for finding a mental health professional or program.
Local National Alliance on Mental Illness support groups.
New Hire Spotlight
Kenneth Kim
Behavioral Health Technician, Kenneth Kim, didn’t put it in his bio, but something you’ll notice about him is his clever sense of humor. For example, when he explains that he did not serve in the military, he says “I tried to enlist, but they said they were good.”
Kenneth is also clever in other ways. A “trivia savant,” he was almost a contestant on Jeopardy, and he graduated from UCLA with a BA in English Literature. Already employed in healthcare before joining the Asana Recovery team, Kenneth felt like working in addiction treatment was a natural and challenging shift in career focus.
A music lover, Kenneth loves going to concerts. Also: Beware! You may not want to put money against him in a game of ping pong because he also enjoys tennis and all racquet/paddle sports. He says he loves dogs and “tolerates” cats. “Stability, good health and good company” make him happy.
Darrel Moore
The Asana Recovery team is in luck! Because another new Behavioral Health Technician, Darrel Moore, also has a great sense of humor. Nothing like some dry humor to make work more interesting! He also calls himself an “open book,” so reach out and get to know him!
Darrel has three children with his wife of 15 years, whom he calls “amazing.” Acknowledging that he has many skills but is a “master of none,” Darrel has numerous and diverse interests. He loves video games, reading, camping, fishing and hiking. He is an “avid board game tester” and a sports coach (specifically soccer and basketball.
Before coming to Asana Recovery, Darrel worked in mental health for several years before transitioning into dual diagnosis care and now and treatment.
Team Member Shout-Out
HR appreciates perfect attendance! Starting May 1st, any employee who has perfect attendance/no call-out for the month of May will be entered into our Surprise Speaker Giveaway!
Asana Recovery Park Day
What was the best day of school when you were a kid? If you went to public school in the U.S. you very likely have the same answer: Field Day!
We’re expanding the excitement to adults (and work) with Asana Recovery Park Day, coming up on Wednesday, May 31. Details to come!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
As professionals in treatment of addictions and dual-diagnosis, employees at Asana Recovery have more understanding of mental illness than the average person. But, this year’s message - the More Than Enough campaign - seems particularly meaningful.
It’s an opportunity for all of us to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold — no matter our diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background or ability. We want every person out there to know that if all you did was wake up today, that’s more than enough. No matter what, you are inherently worthy of more than enough life, love and healing. Showing up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you is more than enough. - National Alliance on Mental Illness
Trivia
Question: How many Americans deal with a mental illness (diagnosed or undiagnosed)?
Contact HR with your response for the chance to win a gift card!
The answer to last week’s trivia question: The first non-English language film to win Best Picture in the 92-year history of the Oscars was Parasite, a social satire by North Korean filmmakers.
Last week’s winner was: Candace.