Zinpro Corporation, the leading provider of animal nutrition solutions, accepted the Employer of the Year award from the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in November, capping a year full of education for its employees.
“The global pandemic has created new pressures and stresses for all of us, yet many people don’t know where to turn for help,” said Zinpro President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Sheffer. “We are grateful for the incredible learning resources and partnership we have received from NAMI, which help us serve our global team by raising awareness and providing education about mental health.”
Sheffer notes that because Zinpro’s mission is to achieve better health and wellbeing for animals and people, the focus on mental wellness is a natural fit. “For many of us in the agriculture industry, talking openly about mental health can feel a bit uncomfortable,” he says. “Thanks to the support of our owners, we will continue working to remove the stigma associated with talking about mental illness, so we can be there for our team, our families and our communities when they need it most.”
Over the past year, Zinpro has engaged in an education campaign aimed at employees, offering a webinar series and online resources. Additionally, Zinpro equipped its sales team with mental health resources specifically for farmers, who have historically dealt with extreme pressures brought on by drought, flooding and fluctuating market dynamics.
“Even before the pandemic, Zinpro demonstrated a strong commitment to the mental health of its employees and the agricultural community at large,” said NAMI Minnesota Executive Director Sue Abderholden. “They took a systematic approach to raising awareness about mental health, providing education about mental illnesses, and ensuring access to needed resources. NAMI Minnesota has appreciated the partnership and applauds Zinpro’s work in this area.”
If you need help:
In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
About NAMI Minnesota
NAMI Minnesota’s mission is to champion justice, dignity and respect for all Minnesotans affected by mental illnesses. Through education, support and advocacy, NAMI Minnesota pursues its goals to effect positive changes in the mental health system and increase the public and professional understanding of mental illnesses.
In 1976 the seeds for NAMI Minnesota were planted when a group of parents organized against the closure of Hastings State Hospital. They wanted to ensure that the money saved from closing the hospital was used to fund community-based mental health services. They were successful in creating the first state funded community mental health program called Sharing Life in the Community. NAMI Minnesota was formally organized in 1977 (then called the Mental Health Advocates Coalition), and representatives attended a meeting in Madison where the national organization was formed in 1979. Since then, NAMI Minnesota has grown into Minnesota’s largest mental health advocacy organization. NAMI Minnesota has developed a strong track record of providing education, support, and advocacy.
Today, NAMI is an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 48 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.
Visit the NAMI Minnesota website for more information or to find a chapter near you: https://namimn.org/.
About Zinpro
For more than 50 years, Zinpro has improved the health and wellbeing of both animals and people as a pioneer in the research and development of performance trace minerals and innovative solutions. As a family-owned, privately held company, our steady growth has come as a result of quality products, a world-class team of experts and a commitment to helping our customers achieve more through science-based trace mineral nutritional solutions. With 11 regional offices in 10 countries and products marketed in more than 70 countries worldwide, Zinpro is the global leader in advancing greater nutrition and smarter practices for a better, more sustainable world. To learn more visit zinpro.com.
