Global Diversity Awareness Month: Wellness and Mental Health
As shared by Laura Townsend, Brand and Content Project Manager and Wellness and Mental Health ERG Co-Chair
Celebrating Diversity Awareness Month offers an opportunity to reflect on the role that the Wellness and Mental Health Employee Resource Group (ERG) has in advancing diversity initiatives. We hope to support Vonage in creating a culture of wellness where everyone can excel while empowering team members to bring their whole selves to work. We’re doing this through activating conversations designed to raise awareness around mental health. This is important because it helps to remove any stigmas or misconceptions around mental health issues and general support for well-being initiatives.
We want to provide a positive environment for Vonage team members to talk about mental, emotional and physical health. We are also a place where team members can connect and interact with like-minded individuals with each other in a safe and supportive environment.
Reflecting on the role we all have in promoting an environment where diversity awareness can be championed, it’s important to remember that mental illness knows no boundaries. It crosses all lines of gender, race, financial status, social status, sexual orientation, culture and religion. Stigma and discrimination can contribute to worsening symptoms and reduce the likelihood of getting treatment. By starting the conversation in all communities hopefully, we can help fight the stigma of finding help for mental health issues and improve the understanding of those suffering. This is something that I try to do as much as I can in my life.
