IVPC Highlights Workplace Mental Health on World Mental Health Day 2024

Highlighting Workplace Mental Health in the Skokie Community

by Annie Sweeney, LSW

On October 10th, IVPC staff gathered at the Westfield Old Orchard Mall to celebrate World Mental Health Day, a global event aimed at raising awareness and promoting action around mental health. First celebrated in 1992, this day serves as a reminder to prioritize mental health just as much as physical health, an idea supported by organizations like the World Federation for Mental Health and the World Health Organization.

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024—“It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace”—focused on implementing positive mental health practices in professional environments. In a world where depression and anxiety impact 1 in 5 adults, workplaces play a critical role in shaping the well-being of their employees. With the post-pandemic rise in mental health challenges, this year’s theme emphasized the need for resources and mental health–affirming cultures at work.

IVPC Partners with lululemon and Incite Dance Center

To celebrate the day, IVPC collaborated with lululemon and Incite Dance Center for an interactive event in the outdoor space at Westfield Old Orchard Mall. IVPC staff distributed emotion wheels, journal prompts, and mandala coloring sheets to mall goers, encouraging reflection and mindfulness.

Meanwhile, Incite Dance Center instructors led a series of mindful movement exercises, demonstrating how dance can be a powerful tool for improving mental health. Patrons were invited to participate in choreographed routines that encouraged both physical activity and mental well-being.

The Mental Health Benefits of Dance

Dance offers more than just physical benefits; it has profound positive effects on mental health, too. Here’s how:

• Releases Endorphins: Dancing triggers the release of endorphins, which combat anxiety and depression by elevating mood and reducing pain.
• Boosts Self-Esteem: Increased endorphin levels can lead to improved self-confidence and a better sense of overall well-being.
• Reduces Stress: Dancing helps decrease cortisol levels, which are associated with stress. By lowering cortisol, dance helps reduce the body’s fight-or-flight response, bringing calm to both mind and body.
• Improves Cognitive Functioning: Engaging the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning, dance can help sharpen focus and memory while creating new neural pathways.
• Fosters Social Connection: Dancing in a group setting builds a supportive community, combating feelings of loneliness and isolation while promoting a sense of belonging and purpose.

A Successful Day of Collaboration

The IVPC team was honored to partner with lululemon and Incite Dance Center for this meaningful event. We look forward to future collaborations and to exploring more ways to integrate physical movement into mental health care.

At IVPC, we believe that mental health is health, and we’re committed to advocating for positive mental health practices in all areas of life—especially in the workplace.

InnerVoice Psychotherapy and Consultation is located in Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL.

Book with Annie here.