Why Mental Health Matters for Families and Workplaces
U.S. Eagle believes that supporting employees’ mental health is not just good for business—it’s essential for creating a family-friendly workplace. When employees feel balanced and supported, they bring their best selves to work and home.
“You can’t expect employees to perform at their best if their mental health isn’t supported,” says Maggie Tannen, Chief Human Resources Officer at U.S. Eagle. “Our goal is to create an environment where people feel valued as whole individuals and not just for the work they do.”
The pace of modern life is faster than ever. Families juggle work, school, caregiving, and countless responsibilities, often leaving little breathing room. Recognizing this reality, U.S. Eagle has made mental health a priority, ensuring that employees have resources, flexibility, and a culture that supports employees.
Policies That Put People First
Our commitment to mental health began with tangible changes. In 2022, we introduced a Mental Health Personal Time Off benefit, giving employees dedicated time to recharge and care for themselves. That same year, we expanded bereavement leave to provide more support during life’s hardest moments.
These initiatives are part of a broader vision rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). At U.S. Eagle, we believe diversity is power. Our thinking reflects the unique experiences, perspectives, and strengths of our members, employees, partners, and the communities we serve, which enables us to overcome challenges and unlock innovation.
The Board of Directors designates the President/CEO to develop and maintain effective DEI procedures, but living out this mission is a shared responsibility across leadership, staff, and volunteers. We are committed to transforming every aspect of our organization by confronting biases and operationalizing our values. Mental health support is a key part of that transformation because inclusion means recognizing employees as whole people with complex lives. Through policies and programs like the Mental Health & Wellness Employee Resource Group (ERG), we create spaces where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
The Mental Health ERG: Building Community and Connection
Policies matter, but culture brings them to life. That’s why U.S. Eagle created the Mental Health & Wellness Employee Resource Group (ERG)—a space where employees can connect, learn, and support one another.
This ERG is one way we demonstrate our family-friendly approach. The ERG offers monthly meetings, Microsoft Teams chat for ongoing encouragement, and a robust calendar of events focused on mental health, emotional wellness, physical activity, and community engagement. From affirmation writing workshops and guided journaling sessions to gentle yoga for desk workers and monthly mental health walks, the ERG provides practical tools and meaningful connection.
Employees describe the ERG as transformative:
“I grew up being told that if you had any mental health issues, you had to keep them to yourself. It was a huge taboo, so I bottled everything up—and it led me on a downward spiral. When I joined US Eagle a year ago, I learned about the Mental Health ERG. At first, I was hesitant; I had never shared my personal struggles before, let alone with coworkers I barely knew. But I decided to take a chance, and I’m so glad I did. Listening to stories from people of all different walks of life made me realize I wasn’t alone. This group has helped me find healthy ways to decompress, and I recently scheduled my first therapy appointment—all thanks to the Mental Health ERG.”
– A. Rivera
“After losing my husband of 54 years, the ERG gave me connection and hope. When a member of the Mental Health ERG reached out and asked if I’d like to join the group for their monthly walk in the park, I was hesitant at first to go. It turned out to be the best decision I could have made. We walked, we talked, we laughed, and we hugged. It was exactly what I needed—to know I wasn’t alone and that others were in the same mental health space for different reasons.”
– Debbie K.
“As someone who works remotely, I’ve often felt disconnected. But, through chats, meetings and activities, this group has helped bridge that gap, creating a sense of belonging and connection that I truly value, as well as giving me a space to share my experience with others. I’m proud to work for an organization that champions DEI and gives us the autonomy to create and lead ERGs. That support has fostered a strong sense of ownership and pride in being an employee of U.S. Eagle.”
– Chelsea Watkins
Beyond emotional support, the ERG fosters education and advocacy. Licensed professionals like Alexandra Padilla, MSW, lead workshops on topics such as burnout, anger management, and self-care strategies. Employees learn techniques like box breathing and explore tools like the Self-Care Wheel, helping them identify areas of imbalance and create actionable plans for well-being.
The ERG also champions community engagement. U.S. Eagle teams have participated in suicide prevention walks, supported NAMI mental health advocacy events, and hosted webinars for caregivers of individuals with autism. These efforts extend our impact beyond the workplace, reinforcing our belief that mental health is a community priority.
Why It Matters: Families, Work, and Whole-Person Care
Mental health doesn’t stop at the office door. When employees feel supported, they can show up fully for their families whether that means caring for an aging parent, navigating a child’s challenges, or simply finding time to breathe.
Stories like these remind us why mental health support is essential for a family-friendly workplace. It’s not just about productivity, it’s about humanity. By creating space for vulnerability, education, and connection, U.S. Eagle helps employees thrive in every part of their lives.
At U.S. Eagle, we believe that people mean more. Supporting mental health is one of the most powerful ways to honor that belief. From dedicated mental health days to a thriving ERG community, we’re committed to creating a workplace where employees—and their families—can flourish. Together, we can create environments where mental health is prioritized, stigma is erased, and people feel truly seen.
Maggie Tannen, SHRM-SCP, CUDE
Chief Human Resources Officer
Experienced senior-level human resources executive with proven accomplishments of delivering value while developing innovative, pragmatic and performance-driven strategies and programs. I lead teams that foster a culture of continuous learning and performance improvement to support the strategic objectives and goals of the credit union. Additionally, we design and deliver creative HR/Learning & Development solutions that encourage employee engagement and help cultivate a diverse, collaborative, motivated, and high-performing culture.