Meritus Earns Top Mental Health Certification
Meritus Trust Company Limited has successfully achieved the first-ever Platinum Standard of the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation’s [BMHF] Mindful Employer Certification Program.
A spokesperson said, “The Foundation launched the Mindful Employer Certification [MEC] Program in 2020. It is an initiative that seeks to challenge, highlight, and cultivate company cultures that make mental health a workplace priority. The Mindful Employer Certification ensures that employers are in compliance with existing legislation while challenging them to develop, implement or enhance sound policies and practices around mental health.
“The MEC Program begins with a baseline assessment of a company’s existing policies and practices. It measures them against key standards to foster a mentally healthy and stigma-free workplace. Through this program employers, big and small, can seek to attain a progressive set of designations; Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
“Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. and Resolution Re were the first companies to participate in the MEC program, earning Gold designations in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“BMHF Board members met with Meritus Trust earlier this week to present the Award. It was noted that, while conducting their assessment, the BMHF found that Meritus Trust’s existing workplace policies and practices, employee benefits [including wellness programs and health insurance coverage] and commitment towards supporting the mental health of its employees were exemplary.”
“Through participation in the MEC Program, companies such as Meritus Trust not only foster a supportive workplace but also wield significant influence in shifting perceptions regarding a typically sensitive subject” explained Foundation Director and HR professional Annie Richardson. “In addition, employers who value and prioritize mental health and wellness will experience positive effects on attracting and retaining talent, employee engagement, productivity and healthcare expenses.” Ms Richardson is also an advisor and assessor for the Program.
“I want to congratulate Meritus Trust on this Award and on all the hard work it does to ensure a safe, supportive, and MINDFUL work environment,” said Foundation Chairman James Macdonald. “The MEC Program concept has been evolving within the Foundation, and we are delighted by the considerable interest it has garnered to date. Meritus Trust is the third company to pursue the MEC designation and the first to achieve the Platinum Standard, and we applaud this accomplishment. We look forward to collaborating with more of Bermuda’s employers to facilitate establishing or enhancing mentally supportive work environments.”
Michelle Wolfe, Founder and Chair of Meritus Trust said “Ensuring that we prioritize our team’s mental health and wellness is so important because we know that safe and healthy work environments minimize tension, conflicts, and improve staff retention, performance and productivity. Conversely, inadequate support can undermine attendance, job satisfaction and overall wellbeing. We are proud to be working with BMHF to prioritize the mental health of our team to build a healthier and happier workplace.”
The spokesperson said, “If you want to learn more about the MEC Program or the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation, please visit www.bmhf.bm. If your company wants to earn the Mindful Employer designation, please visit http://bmhf.bm/mec/ or call the Foundation at [441] 703-0003.”
