This is a guest blog post authored by Katie Walsh, Director of Mental Health Education at Compeer of Greater Buffalo.
Compeer Buffalo’s Commitment to Supporting their Team and Beyond
As Mental Health Awareness Month unfolds, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on organizations that dedicate themselves to supporting mental well-being year-round. Compeer Buffalo has a rich history of serving communities since 1973. Our mission is simple yet profound: to promote mental wellness through the power of friendship and supportive relationships. We believe that everyone deserves to feel valued, understood, and connected, regardless of their mental health challenges.
At Compeer Buffalo, we understand that supporting mental health goes beyond policies and benefits—it’s about creating a culture where individuals feel valued, respected, and supported in their journey towards well-being. Nearly 60% of workers say that mental health benefits are important when considering a job, and 84% say they will stay at a job that provides robust mental health benefits. We’re proud to be a workplace where conversations about mental health are not only welcomed but encouraged, where taking time off for self-care is met with understanding and compassion, and where flexibility is woven into the fabric of our operations. Compeer Buffalo stands proud as a workplace dedicated to championing the mental well-being of every member of our team. We take immense pride in maintaining an environment that is not only flexible, understanding, and accommodating but also places mental wellness as a top priority.
One of the unique aspects of working at Compeer Buffalo is our dedication to cultivating a healthy work-life balance. We operate on a 4.5-day work week, which gives us valuable time back in our week to prioritize our mental wellness, how we choose. Additionally, we’re proud to offer our team members the benefit of 4 mental health days a year, which is an addition to our vacation and sick days. These days are specifically earmarked for mental well-being, with no stigma or shame tied to taking them.
Yet our dedication to mental wellness extends beyond time off policies. As a team, we strive and invest time to create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone’s background, experiences, differences, and uniqueness are valued. We organize a variety of team-building events, community volunteer opportunities, potluck lunches, and wellness breaks. These wellness breaks may include anything from playing games together and doing puzzles to going for walks or simply spending time chatting about non-work-related topics. It’s these moments of connection and camaraderie that contribute to a positive workplace culture where mental health is not just supported but celebrated.
Our commitment to mental wellness has not gone unnoticed. Compeer Buffalo has been recognized as a finalist for Buffalo Business First’s Best Places to Work several times—a testament to our dedication to creating a mentally friendly workplace where our team can thrive.
It doesn’t stop there– our mission extends beyond our own walls. We understand the importance of supporting other businesses and workplaces on their mental wellness journey. 200 million workdays are lost each year due to mental illness—and untreated mental illness costs the global economy $3.7 trillion each year. You can’t afford to not address mental wellness in the workplace.
That’s why we offer our Workplace Mental Wellness Workshop and consulting services to organizations looking to prioritize mental health in their workplace culture. Through our workshop and consulting services, we share our insights, strategies, and best practices to help other businesses create mentally friendly workplaces where employees feel supported, empowered, and valued. From implementing wellness programs to implementing open communication about mental health, we’re here to support organizations every step of the way. To learn more about taking a workshop with us visit our website: https://compeerbuffalo.org/education/.