Caring for others requires strength, compassion and resilience. It can also take an emotional toll. At WellSpan Health, supporting mental health is essential to delivering safe, high-quality, compassionate care. That belief drives continued investment in programs that support the well-being of caregivers and strengthen the communities they serve.

One of those efforts is Code Lavender, a peer-support initiative that provides immediate emotional support for care team members during or after stressful or traumatic events. When a situation feels overwhelming, any team member can activate Code Lavender to bring trained peers to a bedside or workspace. The response offers presence, understanding and reassurance that no one is alone.

Code Lavender launched as a pilot program at WellSpan York Hospital in 2024. Since its launch at WellSpan, the program has evolved throughout WellSpan’s footprint overtime, including all hospital locations since June 2025. This month, Code Lavender expanded to WellSpan Medical Group to include ambulatory services. In June 2026, WellSpan will mark one year of the program being available systemwide.  Expanding Code Lavender across the health system reflects an ongoing commitment to caregiver well-being. This focus directly supports quality, safety and patient outcomes.

Tara Harshbarger, nursing manager at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, along with Jill Arnold and Christie Collins, directors of clinical services at WellSpan York Hospital, collaborated to introduce Code Lavender to WellSpan.

“It’s really given a bigger sense of camaraderie,” Collins said. “A newer team member experienced the death of a patient for the first time and a colleague activated Code Lavender for them. Whether it’s a catastrophic event or something smaller, the program shows that team members are looking out for each other.”

Team members like Jessica Schabdach, registered nurse in the maternity newborn unit at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, utilize a Code Lavender cart every day as a reminder to care for themselves and each other. 

Over the past year, WellSpan also has expanded a range of initiatives focused on mental health and resilience for its care teams.

“Each location has the space to make the experience its own,” Arnold said. “Nothing is scripted. While the resources are similar across sites, the approach feels authentic to each team. That flexibility makes a real difference.”

Another way WellSpan supports mental health for caregivers and the broader community is through Mental Health First Aid training. The program equips team members to recognize signs of emotional distress, respond with empathy and connect individuals to appropriate resources. Additional offerings, including virtual camaraderie groups, weekly meditation sessions and a monthly narrative medicine program, create space for reflection, connection and resilience.

WellSpan further strengthens access to support through confidential counseling services, digital mental health tools and a centralized hub that connects team members with education, care and resources. Together, these efforts help ensure caregivers have the support they need to care for themselves and others.

This comprehensive approach has earned national recognition, including multiple Platinum Bell Seal certifications for workplace mental health from Mental Health America for the third consecutive year. The honor is awarded to organizations committed to fostering mentally healthy workplaces.

WellSpan has also been recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine™ organization for its efforts to promote the wellbeing of its team members through targeted initiatives and programs that reduce burnout and stressors in the workplace.

At WellSpan, caring for mental health begins with caregivers, but it does not end there. When caregivers feel supported, patients experience safer care, stronger connections and better outcomes. Supporting mental health is not only the right thing to do. It is part of how WellSpan helps communities thrive.

Ready to make a difference with WellSpan? Explore opportunities and learn more about life at WellSpan by visiting, JoinWellSpan.org.