The events surrounding the October elections brought one of the most challenging periods our country and our team has faced in recent years. The protests, loss of lives, internet shutdown, and restrictions on movement created fear, uncertainty, and emotional strain for many. For Her Initiative, this meant pausing all operations and acknowledging the emotional toll the crisis had taken on our staff and the communities we serve.
To support our wellbeing, we held a mental wellness session facilitated by a professional counselor. This created space to share experiences, understand the impact of the crisis, and learn practical tools for coping with stress and trauma. It reminded us how powerful collective care can be when we hold space for one another.
To further allow everyone space to breathe and process, the team took a full week off for personal reflection and recovery. When we regrouped, we made our first meeting not about work, but about healing. We chose a place that symbolized calm and peace for all of us, the beach and gathered there to exhale, reconnect, and release the weight we had been carrying.
Prioritizing mental wellness has now become a core part of how we work. We are more intentional about emotional check-ins, creating safe spaces for honest conversations, and ensuring every team member feels supported beyond their professional role.
As we move forward, we do so with renewed clarity: when our team is well, our impact is stronger. Healing is not separate from our mission, it is essential to it.