What’s
Up
MAY 2022 NEWSLETTER
Director’s Message
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH!
Peer-to-Peer
Arlene Marten Contributor: Julia Mayuga, Communications Intern
Dear OC Health Care Agency “The County of Orange (County)
colleague. Arlene’s coworkers said
runs on the energy and efforts of
she taught and implemented new
May is Mental Health Matters
many dedicated and loyal staff, all
ways to change programs in a posi-
Month! Our mental health
striving for the same mission. Even
tive manner. She sponsored families
deserves the same attention as
though it’s hard to leave, I'm happy
during the holidays, guided families
our physical health but is far too
knowing the OC Health Care Agency
on how to take care of newborns,
often overlooked or ignored. The
(HCA) is in good hands, and I want
and supported clients through
month of May presents us yet
to thank everyone for all they do
accessing care, often working on her
another opportunity to support our
every day.” With those words Arlene
own time.
mental health and that of our loved
Marten, Public Health Nurse III in
ones, coworkers and community.
Public Health Services, said good-
This year’s campaign theme is “Take
bye, retiring after a 25 year career
Action for Mental Health.”
with the County. Several of her
(HCA) Team,
colleagues had nominated Arlene Research shows that gratitude can
for the Peer-to-Peer recognition.
help reduce stress and improve
“Thank you very much for this,” said
our physical and mental health.
Arlene, “what an honor and kind
To explore how gratitude can
gesture to end my service.”
lead to an enhanced sense of our mental well-being, I encourage
Arlene worked ten years as a nurse
you to participate in our “Visual
before joining the County. During
Expressions of Gratitude”
her career with the HCA she
. . . continued on page 3
worked primarily as a Field Nurse directly serving the vulnerable and underserved
FEATURED ARTICLES Mental Health Month.............4 Medal of Valor Nominations.....6 Emergency Medical Services Week.......................................10 Nurses Month........................12
populations in their homes. “She made a wonderful impact on her clients and many continued to send her updates on how their families were doing,” said one HCA
. . . continued on page 3
