#LifeAtHireRight – Acknowledging Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness month. In this blog post, we speak with the leaders of our employee-led Mental Harmony group about what it means to them.
Here at HireRight, our teams work hard to build the future of screening services while striving to put our customers first. Internally, we rally around a culture committed to collaboration, a service-first mindset, a sense of ownership, and other corporate values to help employers get it right – every time, everywhere. But what is it like to work here? And who are the employees behind our background screening and workforce solutions?
May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States since 1949. It was founded by the Mental Health America organization to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illness, including conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Our employee-led HireRight Mental Harmony Employee Affinity Group is raising awareness of the important role mental health plays in our lives. Founded in 2021, the group encourages employees to take action to help protect their mental health and overall well-being with events, resources, and a popular Microsoft Teams channel. This month, in addition to our regular Teams activities and calls, we are hosting a series of online events about different topics around mental health. These events will help us learn how modern life affects mental health, how to build a coping toolbox, and how to advocate to improve mental health for ourselves and others.
Today, we are hearing from our Mental Harmony leaders about the group, what they are looking forward to, and what inspires them!
What inspired you to lead the Mental Harmony group?
I was inspired to lead Mental Harmony because increasing awareness and support for mental health has been an important cause for me for many years. My own mental health issues made me feel alone for a long time, and I want to do whatever I can to reduce that feeling for others. Being part of Mental Harmony allows me to contribute in a real way and to bond with my colleagues to help reduce the stigma around mental health treatments. Brandy Schratter, Key Account Manager, US, Remote in the Chicagoland area
Having to deal with my own mental health issues, I know how important it is to have a support system. Mental Harmony was founded on the idea that we all need and deserve a safe space, somewhere that can provide us with motivation, inspiration, awareness, and camaraderie. When our founding member left the company, I wanted to ensure what they had worked so hard to build continued to flourish and provide education and encouragement to our employees. Nichole Blight, Data Governance Analyst, Remote in Ohio
When I first joined Mental Harmony, my goal was to connect with others who shared my enthusiasm for mental health and wellness, while also expanding my network beyond my team and department. Having been raised in an environment where these values were deeply ingrained, I've carried a strong commitment to them into adulthood. As I became more engaged with the community, I felt an increasing desire to contribute in a meaningful way beyond just being present. Meg Brown, Client Services Specialist, Remote in Tulsa, OK
As a customer service specialist, I assist customers and consumers with background screening process inquiries, exercising HireRight’s Core 4 Values, especially the service first mindset, grounded in respect, and collaboration values. I felt inspired by Mental Harmony’s way of expressing these same Core 4 Values by providing a safe, respectful space for all employees who want to be part of the group to learn and act in favor of their mental health and well-being. Angie Guadarrama Maciel, Customer Service Specialist, Mexico City
What are you most looking forward to this year for the group? Or, what have been some of your favorite events or resources from the past year?
In 2024, I am most looking forward to expanding Mental Harmony’s reach to other geographic locations. We have a solid presence in the U.S., but mental health is a global issue. We have already grown our membership this year in Mexico, India, and Poland. Brandy Schratter, Key Account Manager, US, Remote in the Chicagoland area
I am most looking forward to our continued growth across HireRight’s global footprint. We’re working hard to reach out to employees in our APAC, EMEA, and LATAM regions because looking after your mental health is part of the human experience no matter where you are. Our Member Council is made up of employees from every region to ensure we have a global perspective and offer meetings in times that work around the world. My favorite group events have definitely been our monthly discussion groups, where we pick a topic like anxiety or grief and talk through our experiences, what’s worked and what hasn’t, and just support each other as we make our way through daily life. Knowing you’re not alone in how you feel or what you’re going through is an incredibly bonding experience. And I love watching relationships form and strengthen between employees – even if they’re halfway around the world from each other. Nichole Blight, Data Governance Analyst, Remote in Ohio
I'm thrilled about our upcoming Mental Health Awareness Month and the diverse events planned for each week. It's exciting to anticipate the growth and positive impact we'll achieve by the end of the year through these initiatives. Meg Brown, Client Services Specialist, Remote in Tulsa, OK
I look forward to collaborating with the group in exercising our company’s values with HireRight’s community, globally. Even being able to share ideas to destress, take a small mental break, or experience how a smile can brighten someone’s day. Angie Guadarrama Maciel, Customer Service Specialist, Mexico City
How has engaging with the Mental Harmony group helped you, personally?
Mental Harmony has helped me personally by giving me a chance to expand my internal network and make friends with individuals from around the globe. Working from home can be an isolating experience, but the daily engagement with the Mental Harmony Microsoft Teams channel has helped supplement some of the social interaction I used to receive in an office. Brandy Schratter, Key Account Manager, US, Remote in the Chicagoland area
Oh my, how has it not? On a personal level I find I have a more positive outlook because I am trying to be that positive encouragement for others. And again, just being able to bond with other employees outside of our work roles has been great. A group like this is a great equalizer, where bonds form based on experience and interests, regardless of title. From a professional perspective, being a part of this group has really helped my confidence as a leader. It’s helped me to build my speaking and presentation skills, as well as project and people management skills. Every day I look forward to this group and how I can help support other employees. Nichole Blight, Data Governance Analyst, Remote in Ohio
Being part of Mental Harmony has been immensely beneficial for me. Through sharing diverse perspectives and coping strategies, I've gained valuable insights and developed greater self-awareness, acquiring new skills for managing stress and difficult emotions. Additionally, the group fosters accountability, motivation, and empowerment, contributing to the reduction of stigma surrounding mental health issues and forming lasting connections for ongoing support and personal growth. Meg Brown, Client Services Specialist, Remote in Tulsa, OK
We all go through stressful moments at some point. We might have a diagnosed mental illness or not, but stress can become a frequent uneasiness, a disease. Mental harmony has provided that caring, safe space to recover from stress, smile, and have a much-needed mini-mental break at times. Angie Guadarrama Maciel, Customer Service Specialist, Mexico City
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Release Date: May 8, 2024
HireRight
HireRight is a leading provider of on-demand employment background checks, drug and health screening, and electronic Form I-9 and E-Verify solutions that help employers automate, manage and control background screening and related programs.