This week we honor National Healthcare Quality Week and celebrate all of those who strive to make quality care possible every day. Quality is a never-ending process that merges into the everyday choices we make. Effective collaboration, thoughtful documentation, identifying opportunities, sharing ideas, supporting team members, and treating each person with dignity… these actions all speak to Quality care.

At Crestwood, a quality foundation is built by many hands. Direct care staff, Program Services, Nurses, Physicians, Administrators, and Home Office support teams all collaborate to strengthen systems, reduce risk, improve how services are delivered, and create better outcomes for the people we serve and for our staff delivering those services. Quality belongs to all of us.

This week, and throughout the year, please keep asking:

• What is working well?
• What could be safer or better?
• Whose perspective do we need to hear?

From our Campus Quality Assurance Coordinators, Home Office Quality Improvement Team, Home Office Support Teams, and every colleague who contributes to the quality improvement process—Thank you! The work you do matters to the people we serve, to one another, and to the strength of our organization. Let’s recognize the progress we have made and continue building a stronger foundation—together.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, please enjoy this guided lovingkindness mediation.

Begin by finding a quiet place to sit for a few minutes. Relax into your seat and take a few deep cleansing breaths, inhaling fully and exhaling completely.

Begin by thinking of yourself, with gentleness and acceptance, and meditate on the following phrases: May I be compassionate to myself and those around me. May I be resilient when facing challenges. May I prioritize my mental health and wellbeing.

Now, expand your thoughts to include your immediate Crestwood family, both your fellow staff and the persons served at your campus. Hold the thought of them in your mind and send out thoughts of lovingkindness to them: May you be compassionate to yourselves and those around you. May you be resilient when facing challenges. May you prioritize your mental health and wellbeing.

Next, expand your reach to include all of our Crestwood campuses throughout California. Send those positive thoughts to them as well, from San Diego to Eureka: May you be compassionate to yourselves and those around you. May you be resilient when facing challenges. May you prioritize your mental health and wellbeing.

Now, widen your reach of lovingkindness to include our whole country, every individual from the West Coast to the East Coast: May you be compassionate to yourselves and those around you. May you be resilient when facing challenges. May you prioritize your mental health and wellbeing.

And finally, send your thoughts of lovingkindness out to every person on the planet, especially in recognition of World Mental Health Day: May we be compassionate to ourselves and those around us. May we be resilient when facing challenges. May we prioritize our mental health and wellbeing.

Take a few moments to breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. How did this experience make you feel? Lighter, more aware, more compassionate? Notice this and if you like, reflect on those positive feelings throughout your day.