Miraval Resorts & Spas recently announced plans to expand its partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to develop tools and programs designed to help care for Miraval colleagues. The new focus is intended to help them explore the connections among the mind, body, and spirit and embrace the present moment in and out of the workplace.
“We’ve always taught our guests that balance is not something you find, it is something you create, and through our renewed collaboration with NAMI, we are giving our colleagues the tools they need to create a life in balance,” says Susan Santiago, head of Miraval Resorts & Spas. “Together, we plan to develop resources that guide Miraval colleagues as they elevate their mental wellbeing and support them as they make wellness a way of life.”
The collaboration with NAMI began in 2021 with the launch of guest and colleague events, including a multi-part video series of soundscapes and meditations hosted on NAMI’s Hearts + Minds website. In May, Miraval and NAMI launched a virtual event series titled Inspiring Workplace Wellness. It addresses workplace topics that are important to Miraval staff, such as overcoming burnout, navigating stressful world events, prioritizing self-care, and eliminating the stigma of mental illness. The virtual one-hour sessions are available to colleagues to reference as they move along their own wellness journeys.
Miraval Austin is planning to host NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., NAMI chief medical officer Ken Duckworth, M.D., and the NAMI HelpLine team for a training session and retreat in early 2023. The NAMI HelpLine, a peer-to-peer resource, provides guidance to people living with a mental health condition, their family members, and caregivers. This complimentary experience will provide the members of the NAMI HelpLine an opportunity to receive essential training and education for their work, while also giving them an opportunity to recharge and practice self-care.
“The pandemic and a resulting mental health crisis have put the importance of work/life balance and self-care front and center,” says NAMI chief development officer Jessica Edwards. “We are proud to work with Miraval Resorts & Spas to support their colleagues as we promote mental health in this new reality.”
