World Mental Health Day 2024 at Iridia
This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day, ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,’ hits close to home for all of us at Iridia. Throughout the past year, we’ve made mental well-being a core focus, ensuring it remains central to everything we do as a team. From in-depth workshops to acts of kindness, we’ve made it our mission to not only talk about mental health but to live it.
Building Mental Fitness, One Pillar at a Time
At Iridia, we believe mental health isn’t a one-time effort – it’s a continuous commitment. One of the highlights of this past year was our participation in the 36-week Mental Fitness Program, covering six critical pillars of well-being: sleep, exercise, nutrition, prosocial behavior, community, and the mind. Each session was led by an expert in their field, offering our team valuable insights into how these pillars connect to everyday life. Whether it was improving our sleep through influencing our circadian rhythm, finding the right nutritional balance, or strengthening our community bonds, this program was an eye-opener, reminding us that mental health is a holistic endeavor.
Speaking the Language of Safety: Certificate in Psychologically Safe Leadership
In addition to our mental fitness journey, our leadership team took a bold step by completing the Certificate in Psychologically Safe Leadership. This course, offered through the University of New Brunswick, equips leaders with the tools to create safe, supportive environments where employees feel heard and valued. Soon, this certificate will be available to all of us at Iridia, ensuring that every team member can learn and adopt this language of safety and support. We believe that by fostering a psychologically safe workplace, we’re empowering our team to thrive.
Cultivating Healthy Habits with Dr. Luke Schneider
This year, we also participated in a Habits Workshop led by Dr. Luke Schneider. Through this workshop, we learned how small, intentional changes in our daily routines can have a big impact on both our professional and personal lives. Whether it was tips for managing stress, breaking unproductive habits, or simply learning to approach tasks more mindfully, the lessons we took away have stuck with us, reinforcing the importance of continuous self-improvement.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Back in May, we celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week with a focus on compassion and kindness. We created a Gratitude Wall in our office Zen room, where team members could post notes of appreciation for each other – a simple yet powerful act that helped reinforce the importance of connection. We also extended that kindness beyond our office walls, delivering flowers to one of our valued clients, the Vancouver Lawn & Tennis Club, and heading out into the streets to ask strangers a thought-provoking question: What does compassion mean to you? This spontaneous outreach reminded us that mental health isn’t just a workplace issue – it’s a human one.
Team Building Through Volunteering at CityReach Care Society
One of the most rewarding experiences this past year was our volunteer day at CityReach Care Society, where we had the privilege of supporting their Food for Families initiative. Together, we packed hampers full of fresh, nutritious food for low-income families in Greater Vancouver. It wasn’t just about giving back; it was about connecting with the broader community and realizing how small acts of service can have a significant impact. This day of volunteering strengthened our team’s bond and reminded us that mental health extends beyond the workplace – it’s about creating a healthier world for everyone.
Monthly Team Lunches
Our monthly team lunches have become a meaningful way for us to connect on a personal level. These casual gatherings give us a chance to share stories, unwind, and simply enjoy each other’s company. More than just a morale booster, these lunches play a vital role in supporting our mental well-being, creating a space where we can relax and strengthen our relationships beyond the day-to-day work.
Leading by Example
As we reflect on the past year, it’s clear that mental health is deeply woven into the fabric of Iridia. We’ve embraced every opportunity to prioritize well-being – from education and leadership training to acts of kindness and community service. This World Mental Health Day, we’re proud to say that we’re not just talking about mental health; we’re living it. We hope our commitment serves as an inspiration to others and demonstrates that prioritizing mental health in the workplace is not only possible – it’s essential.