Newsletter

In honor of Stress Awareness Month

“Happiness is good management of expectations and good management means making order and assembling the contingent elements of the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’, the ‘maybe yes’ and the ‘maybe not’s.’ When we really want to live in agreement with ourselves and find peace with the surrounding world, good management is liberating.” -Erik Pevernagie

Stress Awareness Month has been held annually since 1992, with the goal of increasing public understanding of stress and the objective of promoting more resilient lifestyles. The initiative provides guidance to help individuals and workplaces recognize and reduce stress. They encourage proactive steps to manage stress (The Stress Management Society).

To recognize stress in the workplace, managers create an environment of reasonable expectations. Charlene Thepsimuong, the Chief Operating Officer, says, “I think it is very important that a supervisor/manager clearly states expectations to an employee. I tend to use the mnemonic (AIR).

AIR stands for action, impact, request
Action- what is currently being done, observed
Impact-how the action can be felt by the team, peers, clients receiving services
Request- clearly stating what it is that is needing to be done.

It’s important for all to not only have expectations clearly stated to avoid confusion, doubt, uncertainty but it’s also very important and necessary to be able to explain why such expectations are being requested. If an employee can understand why something is done the way it is or why a request is being made to better the team, the company and their own personal growth, then it is much easier to get behind. As managers, we don’t divvy out expectations for others to just follow blindly. We process in many sectors to include 1:1, with management, with our peers and in teams. Being able to communicate with respect while clearly stating an expectation and providing opportunity for why it’s expected can help to improve a functioning work balance while lessening if not mitigating negative stress. Stress in itself is not bad, but negative stress can truly impact not only the employee but in turn the company as a whole. Providing clear expectations with mutual respect, opportunities for collaboration, presenting shared goals and trust where employees feel connected, safe and motivated can not only mitigate stress but also help bring forth a cohesive work environment.”

Dean East, LPC and Clinical Director, also agrees to offer reasonable expectations of employees. He says, “It’s very important — not because it protects the organization (though it does), but because it protects the people who keep the organization running. And when you’re in behavioral health, the stakes are even higher: chronic stress doesn’t just erode performance, it erodes judgment, documentation accuracy, and ultimately client safety. If you don’t clearly state reasonable expectations for stress-mitigation, employees will fill in the gaps with assumptions — and assumptions almost always drift toward burnout.”

Rick Painter, QMHP, uses exercise as a stress management activity. He says, “Frequently I’ve used exercise for a combination really of socialization and stress management. The reason exercise is so beneficial is because one of the consequences of stress is the adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones elevate. They float around in the system for sometimes 24 hours or more, continuing to raise blood pressure and impact to sugar levels if they are diabetic. They tend to have a long-term negative effect. The best response to that hormone reaction is exercise. Exercise burns many of those hormones quickly and lowers blood sugar level improving mental and physical well being. Combined with increased oxygen transport, the results are improved relaxation and cognitive function. Exercise also boosts circulation which can help with certain levels of neuropathy and reduce pain to improve mobility which in itself produces stress. I usually work with my clients to try to find an exercise program that they enjoy. I’ve used everything from gym memberships to walks. I had a client several years ago and we walked the entire length of the greenway over the course of the summer to help him reduce long-term stress. I just finished up a session with one of my clients at the gym this morning because he was stressed out. Afterwards, he was more relaxed and actually felt like going to work. Before te workout he didn’t want to go to work. I’ve also used frisbee golf and other just whatever entertains them. I’ve tried pickle ball, ping pong, and any number of sports. It’s all about getting up and moving, so whatever motivates them to do that constitutes exercise. You also have to support exercise with proper nutrition—they go hand in hand. That is how to help clients reduce stress.”

Therefore, managers at MMHS care about stress at the workplace and how it affects employees and clients, which is why they give reasonable expectations. Reasonable expectations can help with chronic stress by helping employees understand why things are done the way they are done. Exercise is an excellent and recommended proactive step to manage stress since it addresses the physical symptoms of stress, especially when implemented on a routine.

💡NRV SPOTLIGHT 💡

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

The 6th Annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 5K will take place on April 25, 2026, at Bisset Park in Radford, Virginia. This event is meant to bring the community together to support victims of crime and raise awareness about the importance of victims’ rights. Registration for the event will begin in person at 9:00 a.m., and the race itself will start at 10:00 a.m. Participants also have the option to register ahead of time online by scanning the QR codes provided on the event flyer. This makes it easy for people to sign up before arriving.One of the most important things about this event is that it is completely free. Anyone is welcome to attend, whether they want to run, walk, or simply show their support. Events like this help create a sense of community while also recognizing the experiences of crime victims and survivors. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to focus on helping victims, honoring those who support them, and remembering those who have been affected by crime. By participating in this 5K, community members can show that they care and are willing to stand together for a meaningful cause.Overall, the event is a great opportunity for people of all ages to get involved, stay active, and support an important issue. Organizers encourage everyone who is able to come out and be a part of this impactful day.

For more information visit https://vadoc.virginia.gov/media/gc0h3soc/ncvrw-5k-flyer-508c.pdf

Birthdays

Emmitt K.

Alma M.

Joshua M.

Ashley P.

Jett W.

Service Awards

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