Bishop Statement on Release of Latter-day Saint Volunteers
WASHINGTON – According to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, two volunteers who had been detained in Novorossiysk, Russia have now been released and have left Russia. Following the news from the Church, Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) released this statement:
“I am pleased to learn of the safe release of these two young men. I admire their willingness to serve their fellow man and wish them the very best. I am also proud to come from a place where the spirit of volunteerism and missionary work is so interwoven into the fabric of our youth.”
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3 Steps Companies Can Take To Improve
Mental Health In The Workplace
Sick days among workers are commonly associated with physical ailments, but mental health issues also account for frequent absences. A report from the 2018 Mental Health in the Workplace Summit showed that more people miss work due to stress and anxiety than for physical illness or injury.
Dealing with mental health can be a delicate issue for both employers and employees. Some think it carries a stigma, thus employees may attempt to hide their problem. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that less than half of American adult workers felt their companies supported the well-being of their employees.
Yet more companies, cognizant of productivity and cost issues associated with employee absences, are starting to implement mental health initiatives as part of their workplace wellness programs.
“Employees try to hide what they’re going through because they fear the negative consequences of being discovered. And these fears are justified,” says Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio (www.greengateleadership.com), formerly Vice President, Health and Wellness, at Prudential and founder of GreenGate Leadership®. “Many otherwise capable managers become very uncomfortable when they hear one of their team members mention words like stress, anxiety, and depression.
“Forward-thinking employers are implementing initiatives that break stigma and improve access to effective care. They recognize the role of leaders at all levels in creating positive, respectful, health-promoting work environments. As has often been said, culture trumps strategy every time. An employer can have all the right policies in place, but it’s the culture that either brings these to life or makes them a joke.”
Dolan-Del Vecchio’s tips for employers:
Break the stigma. Studies indicate one in five American adults experience a form of mental illness. “Like most health conditions, these are most effectively treated when identified early,” Dolan-Del Vecchio says. “Stigma causes many who suffer to deny their need for care and, therefore, delay seeking it. Senior execs are in the best position to break the stigma. They can share their personal story if they live with a mental health condition, talk about how they have supported others, and sincerely encourage their employees to get the care they deserve.”
Improve access to effective care. “Hold your benefits provider system accountable for effective care delivery,” Dolan-Del Vecchio says. “Take a searching and fearless look at how well your organization’s mental health benefits actually serve those in need. You do that by creating an anonymous feedback mechanism for your employees and their family members. Sadly, I can almost guarantee that the results will show need for significant improvement.”
Train leaders. “Stress,” Dolan-Del Vecchio says, “is the enemy of health and sustained productivity. More than any other factor, our immediate supervisor creates the culture of our workplace. When leaders at every organizational level treat those who report to them with an attitude of caring and respect, including respect for initiative, autonomy, diversity, and reasonable limits when it comes to productivity, the best organizational results will follow.”
“It’s in everyone’s best interest for employers to fight the stigma linked to mental health issues, ensure medical benefit partners are delivering on their promises, and make sure leaders of people are up to the task,” Dolan-Del Vecchio says.
About Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio
Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio (www.greengateleadership.com) is an author, speaker, family therapist, and leadership and life skills consultant. His books include Simple Habits of Exceptional (But Not Perfect) Parents, The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups and Making Love: Playing Power: Men, Women, and the Rewards of Intimate Justice. Ken founded GreenGate Leadership® after retiring from his role as Vice President, Health and Wellness, at Prudential, where he was responsible for behavioral health services for the company’s 20,000 U.S. Employees. Ken’s team’s work led Prudential to receive the American Psychological Association’s 2017 Organizational Excellence Award. Ken is a monthly NBC TV affiliate on-air guest and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Ignites, Entrepreneur, Fox Business News, The Chicago Tribune, Inc. Magazine, Working Mother, HR Executive and other media. In 2016 Ken was named Corporate Leader of the Year by the National Alliance of Mental Illness’ New York City-metro chapter.
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MIKE MAINS & THE BRANCHES
PREMIERE NEW SINGLE
"AROUND THE CORNER"
VIA ALL THINGS GO
STREAM HERE
WHEN WE WERE IN LOVE OUT 4/5 VIA TOOTH & NAIL
ON TOUR NOW
MARCH 21,2019 - METRO DETROIT, MI - Mike Mains & The Branches are premiering their new song "Around The Corner" exclusively today via All Things Go. Stream HERE. "Around The Corner" is the latest single from the band's first new album in five years, When We Were In Love, due out on 4/5 via Tooth & Nail Records. In support, the band is currently on a spring tour, which will wrap up on 4/19 in up in Ferndale, MI. See below for a full list of dates. For more information, and to pre-order When We Were In Love, please visit: https://mikemainsmusic.com/.
Mike Mains & The Branches first entered the national music scene with the release of their debut album Home in 2012. While touring the album, and growing a loyal following opening shows for Relient K and Hellogoodbye, founding members Mike and Shannon fell in love, married and in doing so, minted the focal experience of the band's subsequent music and lyrics; not just love, but the swirling highs and bruising challenges of life together.
The band began writing their second album, aptly titled Calm Down, Everything Is Fine, which they crowdfunded without the support of a record label, in 2013. As the album progressed, the band spent time with Matt Hoopes of Relient K, who produced the finished album, and Zac Farro of Paramore, who played drums. Following its release in 2014, Calm Down, Everything Is Fine hit the top 20 ranks on Billboard's New Artist Albums Chart.
Five years later, Mike Mains & The Branches are back with When We Were in Love-their most intimate album to date. Much of the record is an extremely personal account of the heartache experienced during a marital rough patch and the journey to rebuild said relationship. The recording process was a therapeutic one for Mike, who was advised by his therapist to write songs as a way to work through his pain: "I finally felt brave enough to explore that pain, and a lot of this record feels like someone eavesdropping on my counseling sessions."
When We Were In Love, the new album from Mike Mains & The Branches, is due out on 4/5 via Tooth & Nail Records.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/mikemainsmusic/
https://twitter.com/mikemainsmusic
https://www.instagram.com/mikemainsmusic/
When We Were In Love
1. Pouring Rain
2. Live Forever
3. Endless Summer
4. Holy Ghost
5. Around the Corner
6. Breathing Underwater
7. Only Thing I Need
8. Fever
9. Renegades
10. Back to Your Heart
11. Swamp
Tour Dates:
3/21/19 - The GMan Tavern - Chicago, IL
3/22/19 - The Loft - Lansing, MI
3/23/19 - The Auricle - Canton, OH
3/24/19 - Stage on Herr - Harrisburg, PA
3/26/19 - The Red Room @ Café 939 - Boston, MA +
3/27/19 - StageOne @ FTC - Fairfield, CT +
3/29/19 - Coney Island Baby - New York, NY +
3/30/19 - Kung Fu Necktie - Philadelphia, PA +
3/31/19 - Jammin Java - Vienna, VA +
4/02/19 - The Canal Club - Richmond, VA
4/03/19 - Neptune's Lounge - Raleigh, NC
4/04/19 - Isis Music Hall - Asheville, NC
4/05/19 - Hard Rock Café - Pittsburgh, PA
4/06/19 - Top Cats - Cincinnati, OH
4/19/19 - The Loving Touch - Ferndale, MI
+ = with OWEL
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Great Necco Wafer Panic and Necco has since shut down.
Now, some of the former Necco candies are coming back, but others are in Limbo. Here is a breakdown of which ones are coming back and when, and which ones are stuck in purgatory:
https://www.candystore.com/blog/candy-news/necco-candies-coming-back/
Key Takeaways:
- Inquiries from Necco fans have been pouring in wondering about their favorite candies
- Candy Buttons are the only ones already back
- Mary Janes and Squirrel Nut Zippers are in Limbo
- All others in various stages of pre-production
