Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace: A Grassroots Movement at UVA
Join this Hoos Well reward-eligible webinar to learn about UVA Facilities Management’s successful mental health awareness movement, along with actionable strategies and data around mental health promotion. A team of professionals that includes members of the Facilities Management team will share how they are working together to enhance education, reduce stigma, and normalize the conversation around mental health in the workplace. You’ll leave with inspiration and ideas about what YOU can do in your work group during Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond.
Learning Objectives
- Gain inspiration and actionable ideas from UVA Facilities Management’s success story with mental health awareness in the workplace.
- Explore effective ways to reduce stigma as well as normalize the conversation around mental health.
- Identify signs and symptoms that someone who is struggling may show, and learn steps you can take.
- Learn about available resources.
About Your Presenters
Emily Martin Douglas serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist for Facilities Management (FM). The DEI Specialist is responsible for implementing Inclusive Excellence at FM, and managing programs that support and foster an inclusive workplace environment such as the FM Language Program and Mental Health Awareness in Partnership with FEAP and FM OHS. As the DEI Specialist, Emily also supports the UVA Apprenticeship Program and UVA Tradeswomen and is a representative on the UVA Chairs Summit and UVA Diversity Council. Emily is from Bath County, Virginia and has lived in Charlottesville since 2009. Prior to joining the University of Virginia, Emily worked for Building Goodness Foundation and established partnerships for construction projects in Charlottesville, Haiti, and Guatemala. Emily studied Art History at Hollins University and Museum Management at the Ecole du Louvre. She also holds the Nonprofit Management Certificate from the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, a Certificate of Fundraising Management from the Lily Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, the Diversity and Inclusion for HR Certificate from Cornell University, and the Inclusive Workplace Culture Specialty from SHRM. In addition, Emily is a trained mediator and certified in Mental Health First Aid for Adults.
Shelomith Gonzalez (She/her/hers) joined the UVA Facilities Management team as Occupational Health and Safety Manager in 2021. Shelomith has 18 years of experience in safety and risk management in the construction and facilities management trades and is an expert in the design and development of safety policy, procedure, and implementation. Shelomith’s philosophy and approach to safety is that of empowering workers to prioritize their lives and wellbeing, educating them in how to do so, and helping keep systems and processes that employees function within operating safely. Her dedication to civic involvement, community and education informs all aspects of her life. She feels a deep pride in the resilience and strength of her community and a commitment to worker safety and wellbeing in the Commonwealth. She served as Vice-chair of the AGC of Virginia Safety Task Force in 2020 and in 2021 accepted the role of Chair. She also served on the Red Cross, Central Virginia Chapter/Virginia Region Board, is a graduate of Leadership Charlottesville Class of 2019, completed the Leadership Essentials program with Uva in 2023, has served as a Virginia BEST Program Mentor and presented at the annual VOSH conference, VAPPA 2023 conference, and UVA Safety Summit.
Chris Hoy is Senior Supervisory Construction Administration Manager in UVA Facilities Management. He attended Brigham Young University (construction management) and started his career in the private construction industry before joining UVA in 1997. His first UVA project was a total renovation of UVA’s Emergency Department and more than 20 years later, he was once again charged with improving the hospital’s ED, but as the senior supervisory construction administration manager on the University Hospital Expansion project. Chris is currently managing multiple projects along the Emmet-Ivy Corridor, which will transform a significant entry point to the UVA.
Mary Sherman, LCSW, CEAP is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional. Ms. Sherman has extensive experience with coaching, short-term problem solving, management consultation, mediation, and facilitation on a range of personal and workplace issues. She has additional expertise helping employees improve communication skills, balance work and home, manage stress, increase happiness, in domestic violence work, and in helping employees deal with anxiety and depression. Member of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association and the College and University Work Family Association.