Symend Gives: Supporting Mental Health in North America
In April 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified mental health challenges across North America, Symend launched "Symend Gives"—a corporate social responsibility initiative focused on supporting mental health resources and organizations serving communities in need.
Why mental health matters now more than ever
The pandemic has created a mental health crisis that compounds existing challenges. Isolation, economic uncertainty, health fears, and disrupted routines have affected people across all demographics. For many, accessing mental health support has become more difficult just as the need has intensified.
As a company that works to support people during challenging financial moments, we recognize that financial stress and mental health are deeply interconnected. You can't address one without considering the other.
Our commitment
Symend Gives represents our commitment to supporting mental health through several interconnected initiatives:
Financial contributions
We're providing direct financial support to organizations delivering mental health services in communities where Symend operates. This includes both established organizations and grassroots efforts addressing urgent needs.
Employee matching program
When Symend team members donate to mental health organizations, the company matches their contributions, amplifying the impact of their generosity.
Volunteer support
We're providing paid time off for employees who want to volunteer with mental health organizations, making it easier for our team to contribute their time and skills.
Resource sharing
We're using our platform and network to raise awareness about mental health resources and reduce the stigma around seeking help.
Partner organizations
Through Symend Gives, we're supporting several organizations doing critical work in mental health:
Crisis intervention services
Organizations providing immediate support through crisis lines, text-based services, and emergency intervention for people experiencing mental health crises.
Community mental health programs
Local organizations delivering accessible mental health services, particularly to underserved communities where access is limited.
Youth mental health
Programs specifically focused on supporting young people, who have been particularly affected by pandemic-related disruptions and isolation.
First responder support
Resources for healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential workers facing extraordinary stress and trauma.
Internal mental health support
While supporting external organizations is important, we also recognize our responsibility to support our own team's mental health:
- Enhanced benefits: Expanded mental health coverage and access to counseling services
- Flexibility: Understanding that people need different working arrangements during challenging times
- Open conversations: Leadership openly discussing mental health and encouraging team members to prioritize their wellbeing
- Mental health days: Providing time off specifically for mental health needs without requiring traditional sick leave justification
- Resources and education: Sharing information about mental health, coping strategies, and available support
Breaking the stigma
One of the biggest barriers to mental health support remains stigma—the belief that seeking help indicates weakness or that mental health challenges should be handled privately. We're committed to breaking down this stigma:
Leadership visibility
When leaders talk openly about mental health, including their own experiences and challenges, it normalizes these conversations and makes it safer for others to seek help.
Education
Providing information about mental health, common challenges, and effective coping strategies helps people recognize when they need support and reduces misconceptions.
Culture of support
Creating an environment where people feel safe discussing mental health challenges and confident they'll receive support rather than judgment.
The connection to our mission
Supporting mental health aligns directly with Symend's core mission. When we talk about empathetic customer engagement, we're acknowledging that people facing financial challenges are often also experiencing significant stress and anxiety.
Our platform is designed to reduce stress, provide supportive communication, and offer flexible solutions that work with people's circumstances. This behavioral science approach recognizes the psychological dimensions of financial challenges.
By supporting mental health organizations and resources, we're contributing to a broader ecosystem that helps people navigate challenging times—whether those challenges are financial, health-related, or otherwise.
Long-term commitment
Symend Gives isn't a one-time initiative or a pandemic response—it's the beginning of an ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility focused on mental health and wellbeing:
- Annual financial commitments to mental health organizations
- Continued employee matching and volunteer support
- Expanding partnerships with mental health organizations
- Measuring and reporting on our impact
- Evolving our approach based on community needs and feedback
Getting involved
We encourage others to join in supporting mental health in their communities:
For individuals
- Donate to mental health organizations
- Volunteer time or skills to support mental health services
- Check in on friends, family, and colleagues who might be struggling
- Share mental health resources in your networks
- Speak openly about mental health to help reduce stigma
For companies
- Evaluate and enhance employee mental health benefits
- Create cultures where mental health conversations are normalized
- Support mental health organizations through financial contributions or partnerships
- Provide flexibility and support for employees dealing with mental health challenges
- Train managers to recognize signs of mental health struggles and respond supportively
Looking forward
Mental health challenges won't end when the pandemic does. The need for accessible, effective mental health support will continue, requiring sustained effort and resources from individuals, organizations, and communities.
Through Symend Gives, we're committing to be part of the solution—supporting organizations doing critical work, helping break down stigma, and ensuring our own team has the resources they need to maintain their mental health and wellbeing.
We believe that companies have a responsibility to contribute to the communities where they operate and to support causes aligned with their values and mission. Mental health support represents one of the most important contributions we can make, particularly during times of uncertainty and stress.
Together, we can create a society where mental health is prioritized, support is accessible, and seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness.
