BluePearl launches wellness ambassador program

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many mental health organizations have observed an influx of people battling depression, anxiety, loneliness, and other mental health conditions, according to Mental Health America.

In an effort to help promote health and well-being among its 7000+ associates, BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital recently launched the Wellness Ambassador Program, according to a company release. For this new program, trained wellness ambassadors will serve as liaisons between BluePearl hospitals and the organization’s veterinary social work and leadership teams as well as champion associate participation in wellness programs, training, and events.

“The Wellness Ambassador Program was specifically designed to create trained wellness champions across the organization, said Angela Calderone, vice president of people and organization at BluePearl. “These are associates who wanted to be involved in promoting a culture of health and well-being and in turn, support their fellow associates in getting the access to care and support they need to ensure self-care.”

BluePearl’s health and well-being team developed this new program based on feedback from associates who solicited help integrating the BluePearl’s social work program at their hospitals. All ambassadors serving in the program will be trained in Mental Health First Aid, a public educational platform that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.

The core mission of the Wellness Ambassador Program is to:

• Normalize discussions about mental health and substance abuse challenges in BluePearl hospitals.
• Reduce stigma the often associated with a lack of understanding of those who may be experiencing substance abuse or mental health challenges.
• Help others to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance abuse issue
• Teach leadership and associates how to address and engage with someone who may be suffering from mental health or substance abuse challenges.

“Different from most health and wellness initiatives that work from the top down, this program works from the ground up, utilizing hospital-based wellness ambassadors to fill the gap between the resource or support and the Associate in need,” says Lori C. Harbert, MSW, LCSW, director of health and well-being at BluePearl, in the release.

“Through this program, we hope to reach more associates, increase awareness of and engagement in our well-being programs, and build a sustainable culture of acceptance, support, and unity.”

By the close of 2022, BluePearl desires to have 200 Mental Health First Aid trained Wellness Ambassadors in its practices.

To learn more about this program and this special training, go here.