By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director – United Way Charlotte County
United Way Charlotte County recently kicked off its Workplace Thrive Academy, a year-long initiative dedicated to strengthening the health and resilience of our local workforce in mental health. Just last week, 45 attendees representing 23 different Charlotte County businesses gathered for the Academy’s first in-person workshop—an honest and impactful conversation centered on depression and suicide in the workplace.
This series is built upon the January United at Work Summit, which focused on trauma in professional settings, especially as our workforce community has been hit multiple times with recent hurricanes. Now, the Thrive Academy is diving deeper into specific mental wellness topics, equipping employers and community partners with tools to foster more supportive and inclusive work environments.
Led by Mike Luster, CEO of Mental Health Resources, participants are guided through a variety of strategies aimed at recognizing early signs of mental health struggles among employees. One of the many tools introduced was WARP—Work/school, Activities of daily living, Relationships, Physical health—a lens to see the degree to which the mental health problem is disruptive to a person’s life. The intention is to help leaders and peers notice subtle but important changes that may signal someone is struggling.
Participants practiced communication skills to respond effectively and compassionately. Learning the model “Ask, Listen, Connect, Follow Up,” encouraged open conversations that can build trust and lead to timely support. The group also engaged in a SWOT analysis to assess their current workplace wellness efforts. This interactive segment allowed for open dialogue and peer exchange, where participants actively shared challenges and brainstormed actionable goals to strengthen mental health support within their organizations.
Beyond training, the session provided a rare opportunity for business leaders to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Key takeaways reinforced the importance of viewing mental health as a cornerstone of workforce stability. Many organizations recognized the need to improve or expand their wellness planning efforts. Leaders were encouraged to not only support self-care but to model it, setting the tone for healthier workplace culture. Above all, there was a shared acknowledgment that reducing stigma around mental health is everyone’s responsibility.
At its heart, the Thrive Academy is about more than just awareness. It’s about building a resilient workforce in Charlotte County, especially for those in the ALICE population—residents who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These individuals often face stressors both at home and at work. When employers recognize and respond to those realities, it can transform lives and organizations alike.
One participant captured this complexity with powerful clarity: “ALICE challenges profoundly impact our client populations in ways that create a cascade of mental health consequences. Older adults on fixed incomes face impossible choices between medications, housing, and food. Caregivers give up careers and face devastating financial setbacks. The emotional toll—depression, isolation, and burnout—is severe, not just for clients, but also for our staff who bear witness daily. The stress of watching someone fall through the cracks—waiting for housing, for respite, for relief—while knowing help might not come in time, is a weight that staff carry long after work hours.”
The conversation will continue this July, when the next workshop explores anxiety and substance use. Attendees will learn to identify signs of both, understand risk factors, and gain tools for early intervention and support. The goal is not only to increase awareness, but to create workplaces where stigma no longer stands in the way of helping or healing.
To learn more about the Thrive Academy and to access local mental health and wellness resources, visit unitedwayccfl.org/mentalhealth
For more information about United Way Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.