
Spreading the Word About Resources to Support Mental Health and More
Published May 17, 2023
The safety task team in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Rafted Module Facility (RMF) kicked off Mental Health Month in May with a self-care awareness crew talk. The team wanted to shed light on benefits available to shipbuilders through the company to help support a healthy body, mind and wallet.
During the event, representatives from the Benefits Office shared information about programs such as HERO: HII Employees Reach Out. HERO offers access to free in-person and virtual counseling to support a variety of needs, from grief and marital counseling to anxiety and stress. Leaders also were on hand to support the event, including Xavier Beale, vice president of Human Resources and Trades, and Karen Velkey, corporate vice president of Compensation and Benefits.
Shamar Strothers, safety task team lead for the RMF, said his team members wanted to “spread the word” when they were made aware of the different types of resources that are available.
“I think people are more educated, and they’ll use the resources now that they know about them,” he said following the event.
Shipbuilder Zhane Gayles (X33) was glad to see a focus on mental health. She said some people may come to work “with a smile on their face” while silently struggling with their mental health.
“Mental health is really big. A lot of people don’t talk about it. They just put it off to the side, but having a program like this is very helpful,” she said. Gayles added that she hopes there are similar events around the shipyard and that there will be opportunities for employees to “check in” and make sure everyone is OK.
Click here to learn more about benefits that are available to support shipbuilders’ mental health.