Nurturing Minds: Fostering Mental Health Awareness and Organizational Support

In an era when the significance of mental health is gaining widespread recognition, cultivating an environment of awareness and support within organizations is imperative. This Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) webinar, titled "Nurturing Minds: Fostering Mental Health Awareness and Organizational Support," delves into the critical intersection of mental health and the workplace, with a particular focus on the scholarly publishing community. The session is part of the SSP initiative introduced in this Scholarly Kitchen post by SSP President Randy Townsend last fall. This the first in a series of free webinars being developed by a subcommittee of the SSP Mental Health Task Force. The session will open by addressing the prevalent stigmas surrounding mental health, shedding light on the importance of understanding and dismantling these barriers within the professional sphere. Participants will gain insights into the multifaceted nature of mental health challenges and their impact on overall well-being and workplace dynamics. An exploration of organizational resources and strategies will follow, emphasizing the role of employers in creating a supportive ecosystem. The webinar will showcase various initiatives, from employee assistance programs to mental health awareness campaigns, designed to cultivate an inclusive, supportive workplace culture that prioritizes mental well-being. Additional information about the SSP Mental Health Awareness initiative can be found on the SSP website.

Publication Date

2024 | February

Mental Health and the Workplace

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Emma Jellen

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Associate Director, Center for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Association

Emma Jellen is the Associate Director for the Center for Workplace Mental Health at the American Psychiatric Association Foundation where she develops innovative, high impact web-based educational content and resources for employers to advance workplace mental health. Emma builds external relationships with corporate leaders, and produces the Center’s monthly Mental Health Works publication. Prior to her current role, Ms. Jellen was the Program Manager for the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI) Support and Alignment Network (SAN) Grant awarded by CMS.

Lily Garcia Walton

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Chief People Officer, Silverchair

Lily Garcia Walton is Chief People Officer and General Counsel of Silverchair, where she architects the company’s people strategy. For more than 20 years, Lily has successfully led technology, education, media, and professional services organizations through transformative change by preserving strong culture, operational excellence, and a sense of mission. Lily is passionate about maximizing human potential and she proudly serves on the boards of Computers4Kids (a STEM mentorship organization) and Bryant & Stratton College. Lily is an employment attorney and a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources. She has a BA from Stetson University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Lily is a resident of Nelson County, Virginia, where she shares a cottage in the woods with her husband, two boys, three rescue cats, and a Morkie-Poo.

Randy Townsend

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Randy Townsend, MPS, (he, him, his) is President of the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) and has served in leadership positions for the Council of Science Editors, and AM&P Network’s Association Council, and has co-chaired DEIA Committees for AM&P Network and SSP. He has actively supported C4DISC and contributed to the development of many of their freely available resources. At Origin Editorial, Randy takes innovative approaches to lead and implement peer review strategies. Randy was the inaugural Editor in Chief for the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing and is an Associate Professor of the MPS in Publishing program in the College of Professional Studies at George Washington University.

Shayla Gerity

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Program Manager, Center for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Association

Shayla Gerity joined the American Psychiatric Association Foundation in 2022 as Program Manager for the Center for Workplace Mental Health. In her prior role, Shayla was a Well-being Specialist with Adventist Healthcare in Maryland. Her primary role was designing and implementing well-being programs for the hospital staff across three regional hospitals. In past roles, Shayla has worked as both a government and private contractor working in the Employee Health field. Shayla earned her B.S. in Kinesiology at Penn State University.