GRO Community Case Study: Supporting Self-Care for Mental Health Clinicians
Clinicians who support people through trauma carry a heavy load – and they need care too. GRO Community, a non-profit mental health organization in Chicago, turned to YuMuuv to encourage self-care, movement and connection among its staff. Here is how it worked.
Table of Contents
At a Glance
- Organization: GRO Community, a non-profit in the Roseland community of Chicago
- Team: culturally responsive clinicians in a high-stress field
- Challenge: a step challenge, supported by cash rewards and fitness watches
- Result: higher engagement and morale, including among less active staff
About GRO Community
GRO Community provides trauma-informed mental health services to boys and men aged 5 and up from low-income backgrounds and Black and brown communities. It was founded to address the effects of long-term exposure to violence and trauma among African American men and boys, using therapeutic approaches grounded in the neurological, biological and psychological effects of trauma.
The Challenge
GRO's clinicians manage their own stress while supporting clients with complex needs. Ashley Wells, HR representative at GRO, wanted a practical way to encourage self-care and work-life balance across the team.
The Solution
Ashley chose YuMuuv for its ready-made challenges and simple app. The team started with a step challenge – easy to understand, with instant feedback and a friendly competitive atmosphere. To boost participation, GRO offered cash rewards and invested in fitness watches for staff.
Impact
- More engagement: staff who were initially less active felt motivated by the game element and visible support from colleagues.
- Better morale: the challenge became a team favorite.
- Self-care in practice: staff said the challenges helped them pay more attention to their own wellbeing – important in a demanding profession.
What Comes Next
Based on staff interest, GRO plans more challenges, including a jump rope challenge and a 30-day squat challenge. The team is also exploring habit challenges such as reducing sugar and drinking enough water. See the complete list of YuMuuv challenges and 30-day challenge ideas.
Key Takeaways for HR Teams
- Care for the carers – people in helping professions need wellness support as much as anyone. See how wellness challenges improve team mental health.
- Start simple – a step challenge is easy to join and gives quick feedback.
- Remove barriers – providing fitness watches can help everyone take part.
- Let staff choose what's next to keep engagement high.
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