Reimagining mental health in the workplace with Loyola University Chicago, Meharry Medical College, Teachone Wellness and Aetna, A CVS Health Company
Loyola University Chicago’s Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health and MATTER recently launched the 2024 Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest. The competition will advance innovative solutions that support the mental health of early career professionals and prepare a cohort of startups for a live pitch event on November 14, 2024.
In advance of the live pitch event, Dean Elaine Morrato and esteemed panelists from Meharry Medical College, Teachone Wellness and Aetna, A CVS Health Company discussed the need for innovation to support young professionals. Read on for key insights from the conversation.
Insight One: Financial stress, especially student loans, profoundly affects young professionals’ health.
Mental and physical health are closely tied to financial stress, with student loans being a significant contributor. Research shows that accumulated student debt can lead to heightened stress, feelings of poor health and increased diastolic blood pressure.
“Not having mental health resources denies you the opportunity to live your most optimal life,” Christian Amador, MBA, MSc, assistant vice president of strategic initiatives at Meharry Medical College, says. “And that’s really where health equity comes into play. When we think of access to care, like therapy and social support, all of those things play into overall health equity. Unfortunately, for certain populations in the U.S., these outcomes are more dire.”
Insight Two: Biological regulation is essential for mental health.
Breathwork and parasympathetic nervous system regulation play a crucial role in maintaining emotional balance, especially during transitions like entering a new workplace.
“Self-regulation is important, as well as co-regulation,” Denean Pillar-Jackson, chief workplace wellness and resilience strategist at Teachone Wellness, says. “One practice I’ve found invaluable is breathwork. By focusing on my breath, I can manage my anxiety using something within my control. There is nothing more valuable that is more readily accessible than my breathing practices.”
Insight Three: Workplace mental health support is crucial for young professionals.
Whitney Holmes, MHA, business consultant for Medicaid growth & strategy at Aetna, a CVS Health Company, highlights the importance of workplace mental health initiatives. Aetna offers benefits like financial advising sessions, a supportive culture that encourages paid time off, and community development programs — all designed to promote the mental well-being of young professionals. Watch the full event below to learn more about the need for innovations supporting young professionals and the 2024 Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest.
About MATTER
At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare. The MATTER collaborative includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together we are accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.
About Loyola University Chicago’s Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
Loyola University Chicago launched the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health in Fall 2019 to educate the health entrepreneurs of the future and impact health care accessibility and equity nationally. The Parkinson School offers 19 degree programs and three certificate and internship programs in four areas of study: Public Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Health Informatics and Data Science, and Applied Health Sciences. The School builds on the foundations of Loyola’s nationally recognized Stritch School of Medicine and its Biomedical Programs, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, and Loyola’s partnership with Trinity Health (known in the Chicago area as Loyola Medicine). To learn more about the Parkinson School, visit LUC.edu/Parkinson or follow us on Twitter via @LoyolaParkinson or Instagram via @Loyola_Parkinson.