BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital has announced the launch of a national health and well-being initiative aimed at bringing more support and resources to its associates: “The Key Chain Initiative”.
The goal of the Key Chain Initiative is to ensure that each of BluePearl’s 7,000 plus associates have access to life-saving mental health resources when and where they need it.
Each key chain in the initiative contains a QR code that when scanned brings the associate to a list of domestic violence and self-harm crisis resources, as well as to suicide prevention lifelines. To ensure no associate is left behind, and that resources are up-to-date, new key chains will be sent to hospitals annually.
“The concept of the Key Chain Initiative first came to the health and well-being Team by way of an associate suggestion. This associate initially came across the idea through her husband, a military veteran, who similarly received a key chain that linked to mental health resources,” explained Lori C Harbert, MSW, LCSW, CAGCS, director of health and well-being at BluePearl.
“This initiative is a prime example of how the Health and Well-being Team at BluePearl is working collaboratively with hospitals to continuously improve its support to have greater impact on Associate wellness. Together, we can help reduce the stigma around mental health and save lives.”
BluePearl hospital leadership and wellness ambassadors are responsible for facilitating associate education on the new initiative. Wellness ambassadors are volunteer associates who serve as liaisons between BluePearl hospitals and the organization’s veterinary social work and leadership teams.
“We know we must make a career in veterinary medicine more sustainable. A large part of this effort means developing new and effective ways to enhance the mental health of our people,” remarked Jeffrey Horvath, director of people and organization at BluePearl. “Through the Key Chain Initiative, we hope to make resources more accessible and break some of the barriers that exist when it comes to attaining mental health support.
“When someone sees the key chain, it will help people to remember this is a safe place – one where we support one another in times of need.”
BluePearl’s Health and Well-being Team consists of 12 licensed social workers and a wellness trainer. In addition to one-on-one associate support and in-hospital mental health programs and initiatives, BluePearl’s Health and Well-being Team performs wellness checks on all hospital leaders to ensure they have the professional support they need when dealing with stressful situations, and so they can better support associates within their practices.
Learn more about health and well-being on the BluePearl website.
