Dive In Festival Recap: Let's Talk About Mental Health

A few years ago, when the Dive In Festival was geographically positioned, I was recruited to co-chair the Dive In Miami events. I was asked to lead programming and events for the Miami Dive In initiative, where I had the opportunity to work with broker partners, carriers, law firms, and actuarial firms in Miami to create workshops on bias and gender equity and use storytelling as a tool to promote understanding about equity for underrepresented groups. Since Dive In (which has always been a global event) went virtual, I was invited to be a member of the Americas Steering Committee to promote exciting and diverse programming for North and South America. It is a unique opportunity to amplify underrepresented communities and promote understanding within the insurance community.

When I was asked what committee I would like to work with, I quickly put my hand up to work with the mental health track. Given our role of insurance professionals in society, we are uniquely positioned to bring a humanistic ethos to mental wellness.We help people through the most difficult time of their lives. Understanding and empathizing with those who are going through a trying time is at the core of what we do. As a 30 year claims professional who helps others recover from injury or loss, it was a natural fit.

On a personal level, I understand the importance of resilience to overcome tragic personal events. In 2018, I was at a claim review when I got word of the school shooting at Stoneman-Douglas, where my son was a freshman. I can't begin to describe the support I received from my Gallagher colleagues and the community at-large. But even after the news faded and life continued, the effects of that event still linger to this day. As the parent of a school shooting survivor, having courageous conversations with others about mental wellness has great importance to me.

This is the first year that Dive In has created committees by topic, rather than region. Once we recruited committee leaders (shouts to Alison Sammartano, Gallagher Bassett Claims Supervisor, who quickly stepped up to be a Dive In leader), I challenged all of them to bring diverse and entertaining programming to their tracks.

Dive In is a global FESTIVAL, so the events should reflect the excitement and opportunity that await us as we introduce diversity to our conversations, business opportunities and community. I am particularly impressed with our Mental Health team, who have booked speakers from the world of entertainment and community support, to shake up our perception of mental wellness.

There is still a stigma associated with discussing mental wellness in our industry. Insurance colleagues have firsthand exposure to the challenges facing our clients and their insureds or employees during this time, in addition to dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 on their own work and lives. This environment has put a strain on mental health. When you consider that we support others through tragic events, whether COVID-19-related or every day events that lead to loss, we are seen as counsel for guidance on difficult, and sometimes devastating times. For those who care and empathize for others, it is not unusual to allow the effects of the work to carry over into our personal lives.

Use the health benefits afforded us. For example, Gallagher provides an Employee Assistance Program that not only helps with mental wellness guidance and resilience, but gives us support for day-to-day stressors like financial challenges, lifestyle changes and taking care of children or aging parents. People are almost ashamed to consult or access it, and are missing out on resources that could lift some of the strain. Don't be ashamed of being vulnerable. Call your organization's help number or hotline.Consult your organization's intranet site for benefits information. These tools are designed to help you, so take advantage!

Have difficult conversations with your colleagues or family. Yes, it is awkward. You might get shut down. It's scary, because you don't know what is coming your way. But offering your support to another person and letting them know that it is OK to talk about their mental health is one step towards normalizing discussions. Check out the Include@GB Exchange session we conducted with Marissa Giarnella-Porcaro, Founder, President and CEO of the Jordan Porco Foundation, where she role-plays conversations with a family member and a colleague, with great tips on how to address hard topics like peer pressure and burnout: Mindfulness and Matters: Let's Talk

Lastly, our organizations should support our leaders, especially line manager level staff, to recognize and support colleagues. Leaders should take the opportunity to model healthy self-care behaviors, have meaningful check-ins with not only their staff, but each other, and ensure that policies and practices enable flexibility when needed.

Mental health doesn't discriminate, it is a universal issue that requires a global conversation to destigmatize and make people feel comfortable to express themselves, no matter what. At Gotcha4Life we refer to mental fitness – we see this as being just as important as physical fitness. You work out in the gym, so why is there a stigma associated with working on your mind? Our goal is to kick start the conversation around mental health and break down the stigma around suicide.

We hope people walk away feeling inspired to take action, create meaningful mateship and feel encouraged to speak up, reach out and develop the skills and connections needed for mental wellbeing.

The link between active allyship and mental fitness is our responsibility to one another as colleagues/co-workers, family and friends to be there for each other. Identifying a close person in your life and being someone they know they can talk to, openly and honestly about anything, without judgement to ensure no one worries alone.