FEAP Partnerships Boost Mental Health Support
Mary Sherman, Beth Danehy, and Shane Moran
One thing that makes UVA remarkable is our community's willingness to build bridges across Grounds. This happens in many ways every year, so much so that there is an annual award ceremony called Hoos Building Bridges that celebrates initiatives that bring together different parts of Grounds for a common goal.
This year, members of the Faculty Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) and Facilities Management (FM) received a Hoos Building Bridges Award for their collaboration in bringing mental health support directly to FM. Their initiative, Mental Health in the Workplace, has already reached roughly 800 employees and is growing. Through a partnership with the Region Ten Community Services Board, they offer Mental Health First Aid training and host quarterly roundtables, led by Pamela Hamilton and LaBarron Burwell, providing essential resources and support to Facilities team members.
The Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) has been a vital force in supporting mental health and well-being across UVA Grounds, fostering collaborations that have significantly impacted the community. Beyond their work with Facilities Management, FEAP has cultivated essential partnerships with various groups, notably Radiology/Medical Imaging and the Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFSERG).
Radiology/Medical Imaging Partnership
Beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic, FEAP provided crucial guidance to the Radiology/Medical Imaging department, helping staff navigate unprecedented stress while focusing on work-life balance. "FEAP brought experience, knowledge, and expertise to the table at a critical time in history when people wanted to know how to best cope with global life changes while balancing personal and family responsibilities," said Dan Wassilchalk, Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging. This partnership introduced several initiatives aimed at bolstering mental health and well-being. One such initiative is the "Mindfulness Moment," which the Radiology team incorporated into monthly staff meetings. These moments, often inspired by FEAP newsletters, encourage open conversations about stress and coping mechanisms, creating a culture where staff feel supported and heard.
The collaboration also led to the establishment of open roundtable discussions facilitated by FEAP's Mary Sherman, which allowed staff to engage in more in-depth, small-group dialogues. "Mary is very good at finding common ground and expanding on points representing consensus within and among subgroups," Wassilchalk noted. These discussions fostered a sense of unity and collective problem-solving, reinforcing the department's commitment to high-performance teamwork.
A particularly impactful outcome of this partnership was the development of the "Help Chain," a support system created under the leadership of radiology's former chair, Dr. Alan Matsumoto. The Help Chain focuses on ensuring that staff members know where to seek help, feel empowered to do so, and can access the support they need. Reflecting on this initiative, Wassilchalk shared, "The Help Chain can provide awareness, perspective, compassion, and even empathy to situations and individuals." This initiative has strengthened the department's resilience, enabling staff to navigate challenges with greater confidence and solidarity.
Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFSERG) Partnership
FEAP’s collaboration with the Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFSERG) has been instrumental in creating awareness around mental health as a whole and mental health for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC). FEAP has partnered with BFSERG to offer resources, initiatives, and knowledge support to spread awareness, promote the usage of mental health resources, and better the overall well-being of employees. Halima Walker, Vice President of BFSERG, highlighted the impact of this partnership, stating, "You must feel a sense of belonging in order to feel safe. FEAP has created a psychologically safe space for employees to receive support…The diversity of their staff and expertise is a win for UVA team members. They have been proactive about resourcing team members and have created robust training programs to empower employees."
Since May, FEAP and BFSERG have hosted events such as the Mental Health Awareness Month walks and the "Take Space: BIPOC Mental Health Month" panel. These initiatives have not only raised awareness about mental health but also provided a platform for faculty and staff to share their experiences, access the support they need, and learn more about the challenges of others.
Looking Ahead
FEAP's commitment to fostering mental health and well-being across Grounds is unwavering, and they are continually seeking new opportunities to build bridges with other departments and groups at UVA. The success of their partnerships with Radiology/Medical Imaging and BFSERG is a testament to the positive impact that can be achieved when departments come together with a common goal: to support the mental and emotional well-being of every member of the UVA community.
As UVA continues to navigate the complexities of modern life, the importance of these collaborations cannot be overstated. FEAP’s efforts remind us that by working together, we can create a more supportive, inclusive, and resilient community that thrives on the well-being of all its members.
As FEAP continues to promote open dialogue about mental health and the distribution of essential resources and information around well-being through its Step Forward Together Campaign, we ask that managers and leaders across Grounds partner with us. If you are a leader and want to enhance mental health support for your teams, FEAP encourages you to connect with FEAP Consultant Mary Sherman to explore the potential benefits of a partnership and how it could be tailored to meet your team's needs. Let's step forward together.