Dentons is to roll out a pilot program called Ginger, an on-demand behavioral health benefit. The pilot commences in eight of its western US offices.

Championing emotional well-being

Ginger is an added, innovative component of Dentons’ Wellness for Life initiative, which launches in the firm’s six California offices, Phoenix and Honolulu as an emotional health coaching service that will help partners and employees manage and maintain behavioral health. Lawyers, professionals and business services staff will access Ginger through the mobile app, where they are then paired with a care team comprised of coaches who customize support tailored to the needs of each individual. Users can speak to coaches any time, via text-like chat features on the app. If additional care is needed beyond text chatting a user can schedule video or in-person sessions with board-certified, licensed practitioners and clinicians. Ginger provides coaching and guidance in several areas including stress and anxiety, depressive symptoms and clinical depression, substance abuse disorders, and grief counseling. US hr director Jill Maganza-Ruiz says, “We recognize the importance for our partners and employees to have access to these important resources, and expanding their options with the roll-out of Ginger reflects a culture that champions emotional well-being.”

Finding headspace

In March, Dentons announced the launch of a pilot program offering ‘headspace in the workplace,’ a meditation program aimed at enhancing mental health and wellness. Lawyers, professionals and staff in the pilot offices use headspace for work as a meditation and mindfulness guide as they balance life and work. Dentons expanded its wellness for life program for lawyers, professionals and staff, which now includes monthly internal webinars on a range of topics, including work-life balance, mindfulness, prioritizing and managing stress. The Firm is also continuing a pilot program offering an onsite wellness coach to help address professional or personal issues and provide counseling or offer referrals.  Dentons was also an early signatory of the American Bar Association’s pledge and campaign to improve the mental health and well-being of lawyers.