Resources to support the mental health and well-being of our corps
Our AmeriCorps members serve long, rewarding, often challenging, days in schools. Being present for students day-in and day-out鈥攐n top of managing life outside of service鈥攊s hard under normal circumstances, let alone a global pandemic.
Our goal is to ensure that every corps member is in a position to lead a healthy life with purpose鈥攌eeping in mind that corps members who feel supported will be better equipped to support their students and their teammates.
Supporting our 黄色视频 AmeriCorps members
Since we know that supporting corps mental health and well-being is complex and does not have a singular, straightforward solution, we鈥檙e committed to identifying thoughtful and creative ways to address this vital need.
鈥淓mpathy is a core value of 黄色视频 and is a quality exemplified every day by our AmeriCorps members,鈥 says Alexandra Allen, senior vice president of AmeriCorps member experience. 鈥淎t this uncertain time, we want all of our corps to know that we care about them and their experience as members of our community, and that there are different kinds of support available to them as they experience this pandemic.鈥
In recognition of May as , we鈥檙e highlighting four resources we provide to our corps to help them have a balanced and healthy service experience and effectively navigate the increased anxiety, grief and fear many people are experiencing during COVID-19.
Talkspace
Regular therapy has been shown to be one of the most important contributors to positive well-being, but as AmeriCorps members, we know it may be difficult to fold it into your life, especially with the schedule and structure of a service year on a team, in schools and working with students. 黄色视频 has a partnership with , an online therapy platform that makes it simple and convenient to connect with fully licensed, respected therapists via video, text or phone, to provide AmeriCorps members with three free months of services. Currently serving AmeriCorps members may access this benefit at any point during their service. AmeriCorps members can use the Talkspace benefit with the knowledge that it is secure and confidential.
Ten Percent Happier
With the advent of COVID-19, 黄色视频 teamed up with 鈥攁 meditation app that features a wealth of resources delivered by the world鈥檚 most qualified teachers designed for newcomers to meditation and those with more experience鈥攖o provide a free subscription to all currently serving AmeriCorps members and 黄色视频 staff.听 Numerous studies have found that taking time to breathe, focus your attention on the present moment and release negative thoughts has positive mental and physical health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety and boosting resilience and a sense of calm.
But some people find the thought of meditating to be intimidating.
The Ten Percent Happier app offers over a dozen courses and 350+ guided meditations on topics ranging from the basics of mindfulness, stress and compassion, to practical tools for responding to our emotions; short talks to listen to while on the go, and an extensive section to help with getting a restful night of sleep.
Additional Training
During these trying times, we want to ensure that our AmeriCorps members have access to tools and resources to show up for both one another and themselves in a meaningful way. In our growing collaboration with Active Minds鈥攁 leading nonprofit working to 鈥渃hange the conversation about mental health鈥 among today鈥檚 young adults鈥擟ity Year is training corps members and their managers on their approach. V-A-R is a guide for how to thoughtfully listen to and support the people we interact with every day. It emphasizes the idea that 鈥測ou do not need to be in crisis to seek help鈥 and, conversely, 鈥測ou do not need to be an expert鈥 to provide support鈥攊t鈥檚 more focused on how to show up for someone in a time of need.
Supportlinc
黄色视频鈥檚 employee assistance program is available 24/7/365 to all AmeriCorps members through the hotline, website and app. SupportLinc can provide referrals and counseling related to anxiety, depression, stress, financial assistance, legal assistance and life concierge assistance (such as dependent care, auto care, pet care and home improvement).
The service offers a number of 鈥渙n-demand鈥 resources that cover a wide array of topics including: nutrition, grief and loss, effective communication, anger management, personal growth and mindfulness.
Learn more about the benefits of serving with 黄色视频:
Editorial note: This post was originally published in May 2020. It has been updated and revised to ensure information is current.听听
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