Participate in Check Your Mood Day

Check Your Mood Day is returning in person and virtual this year on Oct. 6, in conjunction with National Depression Screening Day!

The prolonged pandemic and stress it caused for many of us have prompted an increase in mental health challenges across the region and globe. That’s why it’s so important to Check Your Mood and learn about the free mental health resources and tools that can help anyone assess their mental health.

Check Your Mood Day encourages all San Diegans to monitor and gauge their emotional well-being. Getting screened for depression is an important part of healthcare checkups, much like getting your blood pressure checked or being screened for heart disease or diabetes.

This year, there will be more than 40 sites across the county where community members can visit to learn about mental health resources and complete a free screening. Those who cannot attend in person are encouraged to take an online self-assessment and participate in a social media campaign, with actionable steps and tips to stay mentally healthy.

County employees can take advantage of the various benefits offered free of cost through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP offers 24/7 assistance if you or someone you love needs to talk about depression. You can call EAP at 888-777-6665.

For additional resources, community members can connect to the County’s multilingual Access and Crisis Line (888-724-7240). It is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day with access to County behavioral health services all year long.

We hope you will join us for Check Your Mood Day this year to educate and inform yourself, your family, and fellow colleagues about the valuable mental health resources and services available in San Diego County and the importance of checking and maintaining your mental health. 

We ALL play a role in supporting good mental health!

Observing Domestic Violence Awareness

The County Administration Center was lit Monday night for domestic violence awareness.

Share 'Your View'

Collage of previously submitted photos taken by employees.

Share your fabulous photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov. Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The DiverseAbility Employee Resource Group is shining the spotlight on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The goal is to educate everyone about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation."

“Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh said. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

Reflecting this year's theme, the DiverseAbility ERG will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate staff on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. ERG events will be announced on InSite. Stay tuned!

"The DiverseAbility ERG is proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month," said Sarah Panfil, president of the DiverseAbility. "We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities."

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages during October and throughout the year by visiting www.dol.gov/NDEAM.

SDCLA’s Bonfire Is Back On!

The San Diego County Latino Association employee resource group is hosting a Bonfire Meetup on Crown Point Beach on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. The event was rescheduled from September.

Bring beach chairs or blankets for a fun night around the fire. S’mores and water will be provided.

RSVP to SDCLA@sdcounty.ca.gov. SDCLA will provide additional details with exact meeting location and an activity waiver release by email.

See the flyer below.

Join ISN ERG for Orange Shirt Day

Join the Indigenous Sovereign Nations Employee Resource Group for Orange Shirt Day at Waterfront Park on Sept. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Waterfront Park is located at 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego.

 See flyer below.

PerkSpot: Print Your Photos on Canvas for Less

Get those memorable moments off your phone and onto your walls! Your child’s first day of school? A cute photo of your pet? Turn those special moments into home décor while saving money. Easy Canvas Prints is offering 93% off canvas prints when you shop through PerkSpot.  

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts through more than 400 service providers and retailers, from movie theaters to florists and jewelers. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register.

Each month, one of the most popular PerkSpot deals will be highlighted on InSite.

Observing Hunger Awareness Month

The County Administration Center was lit Monday night to observe Hunger Awareness Month.

Have some Blooming Fun; Learn Gardening Tips at COC’s Demonstration Garden!

Ever dreamed of having a green thumb in your garden but somehow just couldn’t excel at it?

Well, now you can, by learning for free from experts from the Master Gardener Association of San Diego County.

Starting Oct. 5, they will hold 30-minute “lunch and learn” tutorials from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the County Operations Center’s Demonstration Garden every first Wednesday of the month.

The free tutorials are open to employees and the public.

The first will center on composting ― nature’s way of recycling and making your garden grow.

You can learn how to compost, why it is important and have some fun at the same time! There will be compost at the demonstration to give attendees an idea of what the end-product is they are looking for, as well as fresh fruit and vegetable scraps to show how you start.

Future lunch and learns will revolve around various topics including seasonal vegetables, pollinators and sustainability.

So, get ready to dig into gardening!

Open Enrollment Is Here

Make your benefits elections for 2023 by enrolling now through 5 p.m., Oct. 20.

Visit the Open Enrollment Website to learn what’s new with benefit plans and review the Open Enrollment Guide. Plus, there are FAQs and instructions to help guide you through the enrollment process.

Did you miss the Open Enrollment information fairs? You can watch them now.

If you have any questions, reach out to your Benefits Ambassador or email Employee Benefits at DHRBenefits.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.