DCMA leadership prioritizes workforce wellness year-round

DCMA leadership prioritizes workforce wellness year-round

By Misha King DCMA Public Affairs

The Defense Contract Management Agency launched its annual suicide awareness campaign, urging employees to prioritize mental well-being and leverage agency-wide support networks.

The DCMA CARES Council is spearheading these efforts as part of its mission to safeguard workforce wellness by recommending strategic policies and initiatives to senior leadership. These measures focus on helping employees and their families recover from corrosive or destructive behaviors that contradict the agency's core values of integrity, service and excellence.

"When we create space to speak openly about mental well-being, we dismantle the barriers of shame and silence," said Sonya Ebright, DCMA's deputy director and CARES Council chair. "Building a truly resilient agency starts with cultivating deep daily connections-knowing our coworkers well enough to notice when things change, and having the courage to extend a hand before a struggle becomes a crisis."

The Total Force Directorate created a special internal webpage (login required) to further support the workforce. Throughout the month of September, employees are encouraged to post positive affirmations, share inspirational thoughts, and exchange practical advice on managing daily stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

"Mental resilience is just as critical to our mission as any professional skill," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Babatunji Akande, DCMA's senior enlisted advisor and CARES Council co-chair. "Nobody is expected to struggle. Reaching out for support is a profound demonstration of strength, not weakness. Whether you connect through our new peer platform, call a hotline, or simply talk to a teammate, know that there is a massive network ready to help."

Program managers who work daily to ensure resource visibility and accessibility also help facilitate this proactive, peer-to-peer vigilance across the agency.

"Each of us holds the potential to help rewrite someone's path simply by being an empathetic presence," said Melissa Burgess, DCMA's suicide prevention program manager and council member. "You do not have to be a clinician to offer hope; often, a compassionate, uninterrupted conversation builds the vital bridge that guides a colleague safely toward professional care."

Burgess said the War Department Employee Assistance Program's September weekly webinars focus on wellness and suicide prevention. Agency employees can register on the DCMA DOD365-J homepage.

The workforce also has access to immediate support via the agency's Get Help webpage or by clicking the distinct orange and yellow ribbon "Get Help" icon on their DCMA-issued laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and is organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 6-12 and is organized by the American Association of Suicidology. World Suicide Prevention Day is Sept. 10 and is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

View Melissa Burgess' testimonial

View Brett Merkley's testimonial

Related Stories