Syracuse, New York, May 2, 2024 – Contact Community Services, a nonprofit known for its crisis intervention hotlines including 988 and 211, is dedicating Mental Health Awareness Month to its employees with a series of wellness initiatives. The agency, which is on the front lines of mental health support in Central New York, is shifting its focus inward, emphasizing the mental well-being of the very team that offers support and hope to community members around the clock.
“We deeply value the hard work and dedication our staff exhibits every day. They manage incredibly challenging situations with compassion and professionalism,” said Antara Mitra, Executive Director of Contact Community Services. “This month, we are taking extra steps to thank and appreciate our team, ensuring they feel supported both personally and professionally.”
Planned activities to foster staff wellness include providing snacks to encourage staff to take breaks and recharge throughout the day, a company-wide recognition meeting to celebrate staff achievements, fostering a sense of accomplishment and community. Contact will also host weekly wellness events for staff members including a Creative Arts Workshop to providing a creative outlet for stress relief, Community Pizza Party to build relationships through shared meals, a Therapy Dog Session to help reduce stress with a visit from certified therapy dogs and a Plant Adoption Day to promote mindfulness and care through plant nurturing.
“Our team’s ability to provide support through our 988 Lifeline, 211 CNY services, school programs, and suicide prevention training is paramount,” Mitra added. “By caring for our internal team, we enhance their capacity to care for others, which is at the heart of everything we do.”
Contact Community Services is encouraging the local media and the community to recognize the importance of mental health practices in the workplace. For more information about the organization’s Mental Health Awareness services and programs, please visit contactsyracuse.org
About Contact Community Services:
Contact Community Services is a nonprofit organization based in Central New York passionately committed to empowering community members of all ages through compassionate support. Our mission is to provide a lifeline for individuals in crisis, fostering mental well-being across communities. Dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health education, we offer safe spaces where hope and healing thrive. Through our main program areas—Crisis and Suicide Prevention, School Support Services, and Training and Education—Contact operates vital services like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and 211 CNY. These initiatives strengthen our community by ensuring access to crucial support and resources. Learn more at contactsyracuse.org.