The wellbeing of Rollers is always at the forefront of what we do as an organization and why we do it. For Mental Health Awareness Month, our employee resource group, RollAble, which focuses on Rollers who experience physical or mental health challenges, looked into ways we can provide support as an organization.

As over 400 days have passed since the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency and our global team began working from home during the pandemic, and the racial trauma some of our U.S. Rollers had to experience, Mental Health Awareness month is more important than ever. 

While mental health has always been prominent (1 in 5 U.S. Americans experience mental health challenges), in the past year, depression and anxiety have spiked in the U.S. and the U.K. significantly as a result of Covid, women are disproportionately affected, burnout is higher than ever, and the racial trauma experienced by the Black– and AAPI Community has reached insurmountable levels. To say the least, it’s been a challenging year and we’re still in the midst of it all.

At NextRoll, we know that we all have mental health and we have to foster it. The journey to better mental health can often feel lonely, which is why RollAble’s theme for May is “You are not alone,” where we hope to create awareness and normalize mental health at the workplace and beyond. 

To do so, RollAble has several events and activities planned to focus on mental health and wellbeing for Rollers who are experiencing additional challenges, for those who may have faced challenges for longer, and for individuals who want to be informed allies for friends, family, and coworkers. 

Mental Health Spotlights

Every Wednesday and Friday throughout May, the Executive Team, on behalf of RollAble, will highlight high profile individuals who have faced mental health challenges, their journey to addressing their mental health, and how they’ve become major advocates for mental health. By sharing their story on Slack, we hope to show that no matter who you are, we’re all on a journey to fostering mental health. We hope Rollers will gain new perspectives and meaningful takeaways from these Spotlights. 

Yoga With a Twist

On Friday, May 7th, RollAble is hosting a yoga class with a twist led by Julieanne Barrus, a Registered Yoga Teacher. This class will give Rollers a chance to pause, stretch, and breathe at the end of the workweek, and learn how they can maintain that state. To wrap up the Yoga session, we’ll do a 10-minute meditation using Calm, a meditation and sleep app, and a benefit offering to all NextRoll employees.

RollAble Book Club

To continue the conversation about Mental Health, RollAble is hosting a Book Club where Rollers are invited to read Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb. Maybe You Should Talk To Someone covers real stories of individuals that experienced Mental Health challenges and their experience with therapy. From the lens of a therapist, the book isn’t only thought-provoking, but more than anything it’s affirming. At the end of each week in May, readers will discuss chapters of the book and engage in conversations before ending with a mini celebration!

Supporting our Asian and Pacific Islander Rollers

RollAble is partnering with RollAsia, our employee resource group focused on supporting our Asian and Pacific Islander Rollers and their allies, to bring relevant events to the organization. To do so, we have a Speaker Session with Dr. Jenny Wang, a licensed psychologist, focused on Allyship during the challenging time the AAPI community is facing. Additionally, we’re kicking off a series of events with Yin, a licensed therapist, from Asians Do Therapy to discuss mental health in the Asian Community and equip our Rollers who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander with helpful information and tools. 

Roller Recharge Day

On Friday, May 14th, NextRoll is logging off and having a special Mental Health Awareness recharge day for all Rollers. Recharge days are an important opportunity to unplug, step back, and take a break. It’s important Rollers get a chance to do that without the worry of meetings, emails, and Slack, and this is the just first of three recharge days NextRoll is hosting in 2021. Here are some suggestions we shared with Rollers to try on a recharge day: 

• Practice Mindfulness: Do a 10-minute Calm meditation; practice mindful walking, eat without distraction, take a few deep breaths

• Connect with others: Catch up with loved ones or write them a card or note. 

• Do something you always wanted to do but didn’t have the time to: Still have that book lying around on your bedside table? Have a documentary you meant to watch for weeks? A plan to declutter and reorganize? The feel-good factor of getting these things done is not to be underestimated.

• Do something creative and have fun: Paint, draw, craft, make your favorite recipe, or baked good.

• Move your body: Go for a walk, hike, bike ride, do yoga, whatever exercise works for you.

• Enjoy nature: fresh air and sunshine (fingers crossed) can soothe the soul.

The first step to tackling the challenges of mental and physical health differences is through conversation, understanding, and sharing. Our goal at NextRoll is to create an environment where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves and build solid relationships with coworkers in the process. 

Learn more about NextRoll’s ERGs and our amazing company culture that attracts Rollers globally.