The St. Boniface Hospital community is feeling more stress-free after using a Foundation donor-supported mental health app.
In June, all St. B employees received access to Calm. The app offers a diverse variety of wellness tools like guided meditations, sleep stories, music, and more that are accessible through mobile phones, tablets, and computers.
Staff’s Calm subscriptions are fully funded by St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, whose donors are the reason they have access to different initiatives like this one.
St. B Workplace Wellness Co-ordinator Alicia Ali shared how a 2022 health and wellness survey of St. B staff found that 50 per cent get less sleep than recommended.
“Since one of Calm’s main goals is to help improve sleep, we knew bringing this app to our staff would be great,” said Ali. “It’s also available 24-7, so shift workers can always access it.”
There are currently 890 staff members at St. B who’ve signed up for Calm, and many say they are noticing changes in their mood and sleep. Out of the list of wellness tools Calm offers, the most popular among St. B’s community are the music, meditation, and sleep categories.
“One feature I’ve found especially beneficial is the calming music, which I use during moments of heightened anxiety,” said Jane, a Health and Safety Advisor. “Having this background music in the office helps create a soothing environment, making it easier to manage stress in real time.”
All Calm subscriptions allow staff to share their account access with up to five family members and friends, so the benefits are multiplied. Calm also provides bedtime stories for children, which staff use to help their families wind down at the end of the night.
“The Calm app has been a game-changer for my family’s nighttime routine, because my children absolutely love the soothing music and tranquil bedtime stories” said Vanessa, a Human Resources Consultant. “It’s now something they eagerly look forward to each night.”