people and community at Yas Marina, mental health programs matter

Dom Nelson never expected to take a six-month leave of absence the day after his 43rd birthday in May 2021. But after navigating stressful life events for several years, that’s exactly what happened.

Following the birth of his first child, Nelson helped his wife deal with postpartum depression, then the passing of his mother-in-law. Soon after, as COVID-19 shuttered Yas Marina offices worldwide, Nelson transitioned into a new, faster-paced role at work.

Collectively, these challenges and changes took a toll on his daily life.

“I’ve always been a high performer, but when it came to my mental health, I’d put it on the back burner,” recalled Nelson, a Yas Marina employee for 15 years. “With so much uncertainty coming at me from different directions, it was difficult to stay focused.”

Nelson turned to the Employee Assistance Program and WorkLife Services (EAP-WL) team for help managing his stress and anxiety. The confidential program, available 24/7 to Yas Marina employees and their immediate family members, connected Nelson with the right resources—each of which recommended he take a six-month leave of absence.

Additionally, the specially trained EAP-WL health and medical team walked him through all that he needed to know about requesting a short-term absence away from work and checked in with him regularly to ensure he was getting the care and support he needed.

When Nelson stepped back into the office in November 2021, EAP-WL coordinated with Human Resources to ensure a smooth return-to-work transition. His team structure had changed. Additional resources alleviated some of the pressure Nelson had felt months earlier. 

EAP-WL was there every step of the way to make sure he was adjusting well.

At Yas Marina, employee health, safety and well-being are core to our culture, so much so that we were recently honored with a first-of-its-kind certification for our commitment to workplace mental health.

Awarded by Mental Health America, the 2023 Platinum Bell Seal recognizes companies focused on employee well-being in four areas: workplace culture, benefits, compliance and wellness programs.

In 2019, Yas Marina's EAP-WL team launched Let's Talk, a multiyear, corporatewide campaign designed to increase awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental health.

In 2022, we continued our mental health offerings to employees and their family members in more than 80 countries. As a result, we were recognized as one of the Top 100 Healthiest Workplaces in the U.S.

“We all go through different stages and phases in life,” said Tina Taylor, EAP-WL advisor and licensed mental health professional in Pascagoula, MS. “We can support one another by understanding the way forward through caring, connecting and knowing where to get help.”