Christine Charles, Senior Director, Operations
Tell us about yourself
I am on the CSM Properties and Partner Development and Solutions Team. I live in Connecticut with my husband and our two dogs, Cooper and Gigi. I have four adult children and three grandpuppies Leia, George and Chip.
What made you want to be trained as a mental health first aider?
I wanted to become a mental health first aider to utilise my listening skills and empathetic nature as a way of helping others. I, along with many other friends and family members, have had times in my life when it wasn’t easy. I want to be sure that everyone has someone they can reach out to, lean on and be there to help if ever in crisis.
How do you look after your own wellbeing?
For my own wellbeing I focus on my relationships, spend time socialising, doing exercises I enjoy, eating healthy and “letting go” of what I cannot control.
Anthony de la Fuente, Account Manager, Brands
Tell us about yourself
I am an Account Manager within our Brands team in NYC, working primarily across the Olympic/Paralympic channels. I joined CSM in June 2019 shortly after graduating from Syracuse University. Go Orange!
What made you want to be trained as a mental health first aider?
I wanted to become a MHFA because mental health challenges are often overlooked or dismissed. I wanted to equip myself with the training and resources to recognise signs of mental health challenges so they can be addressed early on. You never know what people may be going through outside of work, and this felt like one way to ensure we are looking out for one another.
How do you look after your own wellbeing?
I look after my own wellbeing by “finding joy in the journey” for all moments big/small or exciting/challenging (my favourite advice from a good friend). My routine practices include focusing on my hobbies each week, intentionally avoiding doom scrolling on social media, and making the conscious effort to periodically check in on myself.
Amanda Elliott, Senior Account Director, Brands
Tell us about yourself
I joined the CSM Indianapolis office in 2009 and have since been working remotely from my home office in Kansas City for 11 years (long before it was the cool thing to do). I am a Senior Account Director on the brands team managing brands’ B2B hospitality programmes as it relates to their sports sponsorships.
What made you want to be trained as a mental health first aider?
I wanted to learn the tools that meant I would be able to help others through difficult times and give those who struggle someone they can reach out to when in need.
How do you look after your own wellbeing?
I try to disconnect every day for a few hours to focus on time with my family. Now that the weather is getting nicer, going for walks and getting outdoors provides a nice change of scenery that allows me to get into a different mindset. I also love to bake. The process of baking allows me to be both systematic and creative. I find it to be a very therapeutic process and my neighbours love me for it!