FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brayden Ransom
May 16, Farmington, CT – Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) has been awarded a Platinum level rating, the highest offered, for Mental Health America’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health. The Bell Seal is a first-of-its-kind workplace mental health certification that recognizes employers who strive to create mentally healthy workplaces for their employees.
“Receiving the highest ranking for the Bell Seal since the program’s inception is quite an honor. I am proud to be a steward of an organization that is recognized for doing all we can to support our employees and create a culture of health and wellness,” Laurie Molinari, Board Chair of Mental Health Connecticut.
Mental Health America (MHA), was founded in 1909, by Clifford Beers, one year after founding Mental Health Connecticut. MHA is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the overall mental health of all. MHA has spent decades researching mental health in the workplace. In 2019, MHA introduced the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health to recognize companies and organizations that understand the value of addressing mental health at work and implement policies and practices that support employee well-being.
“Mental Health Connecticut is proud to be among the first organizations to be certified by MHA. Our continued status as a Bell Seal-certified organization demonstrates MHC’s ongoing commitment to employee mental health and well-being, an achievement not possible without our staff’s commitment to our mission and values, and to each other,” Luis B. Perez, President & CEO of Mental Health Connecticut.
The Bell Seal recognizes an employer’s advances in workplace mental health by awarding recognition levels of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Mental Health Connecticut underwent a rigorous evaluation of its policies and practices in four areas: Supportive Workplace Culture, Benefits that support Mental Health, Caring Beyond Compliance, and Holistic Wellness at work. MHC’s status of Platinum demonstrates its dedication to employee well-being for outstanding scores in all areas, but particularly in Workplace Culture, Wellness Programs, and Leadership and Community Engagement.
“We are thrilled to award Mental Health Connecticut with the prestigious rating of Platinum for the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health. This recognition reflects their unwavering dedication to fostering a supportive and mentally healthy workplace environment. Mental Health Connecticut’s commitment to employee well-being serves as an exemplary model for organizations across the nation.” – Schroeder Stribling, President and CEO of Mental Health America
In 2020, MHC ramped up efforts to support Connecticut workplaces through our Community Education programming. Many businesses reached out to MHC for help to support employees struggling with their mental health due to the disruptions from the pandemic, such as social isolation, experiences of loss, lack of emotional safety, and increased stress and anxiety.
MHC’s support for Connecticut’s workplaces continues through its current offerings. The rigorous application process is an essential tool workplaces can use to create a strategy for implementing improvements.
“When the pandemic hit in 2020, we (like many across the globe) took a long look at what’s important, what’s needed to get through this difficult time, and how we could make a difference. We saw the need for workplace mental health supports and inspired by the Bell Seal, created a program called the MHC Collaborative that supports employers and individuals seeking to improve their workplace culture. The need for safe, inclusive, and mentally healthy environments remains a priority and MHC is committed to help partner with those ready to do the work.” Jacquilyn Davis, Director of Workplace Mental Health & DEI.
Mental Health Connecticut is committed to providing the best for its employees and looks forward to continued work to ensure the standards set forth by the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health are upheld. You can learn more about MHA and the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health at www.mhanational.org/bestemployers.
About Mental Health Connecticut
With a person-centered approach to care, Mental Health Connecticut’s mission is to partner with individuals, families, and communities to create environments that support long-term health and wellness. We measure success by our ability to support the recovery journey and help individuals obtain a safe home, achieve whole health, realize a meaningful purpose, and develop connections in the community. Established by Clifford Beers in 1908, MHC is committed to the mental health and wellness of all Connecticut residents through advocacy, education, and service. For more information about MHC, go to: www.mhconn.org
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