Why did you join the Anti-Stigma Coalition?
- Our involvement supports accessible and inclusive travel. Mental health challenges can make travel stressful or intimidating. By joining the Coalition, our agency signals that it understands and supports travelers who may deal with anxiety, PTSD, Autism spectrum conditions, depression, and sensory sensitivities. This aligns especially with our agency since we promote accessible travel or neurodiverse travel experiences.
- It also aligns with wellness travel trends. Mental wellness tourism is a fast-growing sector of travel. Travelers increasingly seek trips focused on stress reduction, nature and mindfulness, retreats and wellness programs, and digital detox experiences. Being part of this Anti-Stigma Coalition positions CM Travel Agency LLC as a leader in wellness travel.
- Travel advisors often deal with high-stress planning, crisis situations (flight cancellations, emergencies abroad), and long hours. Participating in a mental health initiative shows commitment to us for well-being and burnout prevention.
- We are building community trust by strengthening our relationships with local organizations, schools, hospitals, and nonprofits.
- In a very competitive industry, aligning mental health and advocacy can set our agency apart by showing we care about more than just selling a trip to someone. You become our travel family!
- This will allow us to expand into accessible or therapeutic travel programs even more than we currently do. We currently do a podcast called Wish fulfilled and Mindful Mondays with Red Barn located in Orchard Park, NY to share our message of how we overcome the hurdles for families, groups, individuals, and more to travel when dealing with accessible or special needs.
What is your company doing as an organization to address stigma and share the message that it’s ok to speak up and seek help?
- Education and Awareness–We are actively sharing information that helps normalize conversations about mental health that include sharing open discussions about stress, anxiety, and burnout. Our travel agency promotes a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up and asking for help. We highlight stories of resilience and recovery where I share my own story and continue to share my personal mental health story. We also create spaces where people feel heard without judgment, normalizing the conversation that breaks the stigma.
- Creating a healthy team by supporting workplace wellness initiatives and encouraging team members to check in on each other and our clients.
How would you encourage other small businesses to get involved?
CM Travel Agency LLC would encourage other small businesses to get involved in promoting a mentally healthy workplace and community by leading by example, sharing resources, and helping them join. The most powerful way to influence other businesses is by modeling the behavior. Our agency is willing to publicly support mental health awareness campaigns, share stories and posts about reducing stigma, and show how we promote wellness and open conversations. We will, when our season returns, promote mental health awareness activities and trips. By working together with other local businesses, we can help create a supportive environment where people feel comfortable speaking up and seeking help.
