Mental health awareness is essential to the well-being of any employee. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to bring to light what we’ve always promoted here at EDK. What seems on-trend has always been part of our company culture. We all volunteer for various causes; we feel this is essential to mental health.

Our boss, Endrea Kosven, founder and CEO of EDK, is also on the board of managers with NAMI GLAC San Fernando Valley, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. What started as a way to give back by volunteering became a seat on the board. We all laugh at our boss because of the increased workload of serving on the board, but she’s happy, and we all agree that a happy boss is essential to our mental health.

Since mental illness isn’t something you can see as a physical ailment, organizations such as  NAMI are an excellent resource for mental health needs. NAMI always keeps mental health awareness up front and center. 

Another way EDK supports mental health awareness is by encouraging pets in our lives. There’s scientific proof of a direct correlation between the effects of pets on our mental health. Pets can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. 

Currently, we are proud to say that Endrea is trying to get a local animal shelter to partner up with NAMI for a program to be mutually beneficial. These simple things mean so much to our mental well-being, especially when everything is unpredictable.

A few of our staff members are involved in animal welfare, and that one is a mixed blessing. But the serotonin we produce is the same— it comes from caring deeply about helping others. 

Working in an atmosphere that supports mental health awareness is the icing on the cake; we know that doesn’t always happen. For more information on mental health resources in your area, please visit NAMI.org.