BluePearl Pet Hospital to give associates access to life-saving mental health resources on a keychain

Mary Long / stock.adobe.com

BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital announced the launch of a national health and well-being initiative designed to improve access to life-saving mental health resources for its more than 7000 associates. Under the Key Chain Initiative, each associate will receive a keychain that contains a QR code that leads to a list of domestic violence, self-harm crisis resources, and suicide prevention lifelines. BluePearl said in a press release that new keychains with an updated list of resources will be sent to hospitals yearly.

"The concept of the Key Chain Initiative first came to the Health and Well-being Team by way of an associate suggestion,” said Lori C. Harbert, MSW, LCSW, CAGCS, Director of Health and Well-being at BluePearl.

“This associate initially came across the idea through her husband, a military veteran, who similarly received a keychain that linked to mental health resources. 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,” she continued.

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,” said Jeffrey Horvath, MBA, Director of People and Organization at BluePearl. “A large part of this effort means developing new and effective ways to enhance the mental health of our people. 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 keychain, 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 professionals at the hospital have the support when dealing with stressful situations, according to a press release.

Reference

BluePearl Pet Hospital launches national Key Chain Initiative. News Release. BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital. April 4, 2022.