Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day, which comes when our lives are significantly impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear and anxiety about the virus can be overwhelming. Actions such as social distancing can make people feel isolated and lonely, leading to increased stress and anxiety. This day, observed annually worldwide, focuses on mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma.

Eight months ago, many of us may have found ourselves taking gatherings for granted. Fast forward to the present day, and the coronavirus pandemic has dramatically altered the way we gather, but it hasn't changed our very human need for social connection.

Thanks for celebrating MCCA Day with us!

Ahoy Matie! 

This past weekend at a socially distanced gathering of friends, we sat on a patio reminiscing on the days when we thought this situation would last only a couple of weeks. Still, seven months later, we found ourselves discussing what has become our *cringe* new normal. We swapped stories of working from home with kids and/or partners (unsure which group requires more attention), contactless food delivery and pickup (a win!), swapping vacations for staycations (loving all the local parks), all our new hobbies (we're now professional chefs, yogis, and gardeners), and the latest professional skills we've developed ↴

For more than 125 years, Americans have celebrated Labor Day on the first Monday of every September. In today's economic and labor climate, the national holiday should be the most meaningful observance of the year. Yes, the three-day weekend is more than summer's unofficial finale, the culmination for wearing white, and the end of hot dog season (seriously!).

It's Morphin Time!