How We Foster Hope, Community and Well-being

Every September, communities nationwide unite to observe Suicide Prevention Month—an annual opportunity to raise awareness, combat stigma and empower people with tools for hope and healing. Every conversation, every resource and every act of compassion can potentially impact and help save lives. This month, we are proud to highlight several initiatives designed to promote mental well-being and to support those affected by suicide, loss or loneliness.

Creating Conversations - Loneliness at Work

In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, the toll of loneliness often goes unspoken. Join our next Schwartz Center Rounds on Tuesday, Sept. 23, noon - 1 p.m., titled The Many Faces of Professional Isolation, where we'll discuss strategies to mitigate professional isolation. Workplace isolation can impact mental health, contribute to burnout and even increase vulnerability to suicidal thoughts. This event, with in-person and virtual options, aims to provide a safe space to share your experiences, challenges and strategies for coping. 

Through open dialogue, we hope to foster a culture of connection—reminding every caregiver, clinician and employee that you are never alone. By addressing loneliness and reinforcing the value of community, we advance our commitment to well-being.

This flyer has more information.  

Building Emotional Resilience – Happiness is a Journey

Mental well-being is a journey, not a destination—a truth at the heart of our upcoming Well-being Webinar: Happiness is a Journey, not a Destination on Thursday, Sept. 25, noon - 12:45 p.m. Join Carilion Wellness and speaker Joe Gieck, PhD, as we explore practical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies to help cultivate a positive mindset, manage challenges and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns. 

Learn how happiness is a continuous journey shaped by our thoughts and actions.

Earn 200 Personify Health points for attending! This flyer has more details on how to register.  

Register today!

Supporting Caregivers Through Grief – Digital Resources

For many of us in healthcare, supporting others through grief and loss is part of daily life. Yet we need compassion for ourselves as well. Curated by Healing Arts, these self-compassion resources on the Wellness hub provide music and videos aimed at providing you with tools for self-care and decompression.

Everyone is encouraged to take a few moments to explore the page. Whether it’s a soothing song or a brief meditation video, the smallest act of self-care can make a world of difference.

Walking Together for Hope – Out of the Darkness Walk at Wasena Park

One of the most visible demonstrations of unity and support during Suicide Prevention Month is the Out of the Darkness Walk, hosted at Wasena Park on Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. This event, brought to our community by the Center for Grief and Healing, offers an opportunity for individuals and teams to walk together, raise funds for suicide prevention and honor loved ones lost to suicide.

The walk is more than a fundraiser—it’s a gathering of hearts sending the message that suicide can be prevented, and that no one is alone. The Center is actively seeking more members to join their team, recognizing that every step taken together is a step toward hope.

Learn more about Out of the Darkness walks and how you can participate. There is no cost to register to walk.

For more information and additional resources for promoting mental well-being, see the Well-being page on the Benefits, Pay and Well-being hub.