Head of the Class: Leading with Mental Wellness at CiTi BOCES

The Need

Oswego County, New York, faces critical challenges related to social determinants of health. Currently ranked 59th out of 62 counties in the state, the region struggles with high unemployment, food insecurity, and widespread health disparities. These social and economic pressures significantly affect the nearly 500 employees of CiTi BOCES and their families—underscoring the urgent need for accessible, stigma-free mental health resources and proactive self-care strategies.

The Response

In response to these challenges, Segal, a national benefits and HR consulting firm, introduced CiTi BOCES to CredibleMind. Dr. Julie Landy, Director of Assessment, Professional Growth, and Community Services Initiatives, has championed the integration of CredibleMind, a digital mental wellbeing platform designed to support emotional health and right-time navigation to benefit resources. Julie spearheaded the platform launch with a customized video announcement, resulting in an immediate spike of engagement—nearly 100 users in one day. Since then, her ongoing efforts through in-person training and strategic communications have created sustained awareness and usage.

Julie actively incorporates CredibleMind’s monthly topics—which align with national health observances and workplace wellness themes—into all-staff messages, meetings, and HR materials. Her communications continue to drive noticeable spikes in daily traffic, reflecting how thoughtful outreach can boost engagement.

Program Elements

CiTi BOCES employees gained access to a simple platform empowering them and their families to take greater control of their mental health. It featured:

• Self-assessments to help them better understand their mental and emotional health
  
• Expert-curated content on 100+ topics such as stress, burnout, anxiety, sleep, financial wellbeing, and parenting, using a variety of media to address diverse learning styles
  
• Evidence-rated approaches enabling individuals to find what works for them
• Personalized recommendations tailored to individual goals and challenges
  
• Video and audio content, including calls to action with immediate impact
  
• Direct access to local and national crisis resources
  
• Seamless integration with employee assistance programs (EAPs) and health benefits, simplifying access and boosting return on these benefit investments
  
• A mobile-friendly experience that allows users to engage anytime, anywhere

Why Self-Care Matters

Research shows that proactive self-care improves mood, energy, productivity, and overall functioning—especially in high-stress environments. Regular use of tools like CredibleMind not only reduces the emotional impact of environmental stressors but also increases emotional resilience, helping individuals cope with life’s challenges before they become crises.

By providing users with easy access to personalized, trustworthy content, CredibleMind helps shift the focus from reactive care to preventative mental wellness—which is more effective and less costly for both individuals and organizations.

Reach & Engagement

Since the February 2024 launch:

• 1,130 unique user sessions have been completed (more than 2x the size of the employee population)
• 5% of users have explored the Employee Resources page, indicating interest in available support
  
• Nearly 3% of users have visited the In Crisis page for urgent help
  
• Session duration has averaged 8.4 minutes—indicating deep, meaningful engagement
  
• Average sessions per user holds at 1.37, exceeding the employer benchmark

Looking Ahead

The CredibleMind platform is gaining real traction at CiTi BOCES, thanks to the dedication of Julie and her team. In a struggling county, this kind of accessible, evidence-informed support is not just helpful—it’s essential. By embedding mental health into the culture and championing preventative self-care, CiTi BOCES is building a stronger, healthier workforce—one click, one resource, one conversation at a time.

Hear from Julie below.