At Marriott International, mental wellbeing isn’t reserved for one day a year, it’s woven into the fabric of everyday life. As Rachel E., Director of Global Wellbeing, explains,” World Mental Health Day is a powerful opportunity to break the stigma around mental health and show our associates that their wellbeing truly matters.”
At Marriott, global wellbeing means taking care of the whole person. One way we bring this to life is through TakeCare, our wellness program designed to support associates’ physical, mental, and financial health. Rachel leads this program and our global efforts to help associates thrive both personally and professionally. “We recognize that these pillars of wellness are deeply interconnected, and we strive to create a culture where each is nurtured,” she says.
Keep reading to learn more about some of the new TakeCare initiatives launched this year.
Resiliency at the Core
One of the most meaningful initiatives launched this year is Marriott’s Resiliency Campaign, which debuted earlier this year. “Resiliency is something I personally believe in—it’s a skillset that can be learned and strengthened over time,” Rachel shares. “We focused on core competencies like emotional regulation, adaptability, and connection, which help people build a strong foundation to better navigate life’s inevitable challenges.”
To support this effort, Marriott developed personalized resiliency playbooks for associates, along with a dedicated version for its 14,000+ TakeCare Champions worldwide. “These hotel-based champions play a vital role in bringing TakeCare to life in ways that are meaningful and relevant to their local teams,” Rachel explains. “They understand the unique needs of their people and locations, which allows us to make wellness personal and culturally appropriate.”
Expanding Access and Inclusion
Rachel is especially proud of the recent expansion of TakeCare to Franchise locations. “It’s been a long-standing goal to ensure that anyone working at a Marriott-branded property, regardless of employment type, has access to our wellbeing programming and resources,” she says. “Extending TakeCare to our Franchise community reinforces our commitment to supporting all associates and creating a culture of care across the globe.”
Another milestone was the launch of a global financial wellness program, tailored to regional needs. “We selected four foundational topics and created quarterly webinars that were adapted for different regions to reflect cultural and local nuances,” Rachel says. “Financial wellbeing looks different around the world, and it was important to us that the content be relevant and respectful of those differences.”
Leadership and Everyday Action
Leadership support remains central to Marriott’s wellbeing strategy. Rachel explains that visible leadership, whether through events, emails, or other activations, plays a critical role in reinforcing the importance of wellbeing. “When leaders show their commitment in tangible ways, it helps normalize conversations around mental, physical, and financial health and strengthens our culture of care,” she says.
When asked how associates can support their mental health on World Mental Health Day—and every day—Rachel offers simple advice: “Take a moment to think about your mental health and one small thing you can do to support it. Whether it’s taking a walk, reaching out to a friend, or simply pausing to breathe—every action matters.”
And remember, prioritizing your mental wellbeing isn’t selfish; it’s essential. As Rachel says, “today, and every day, I hope you’ll choose to invest in yourself. You deserve it.” What about posting this on your desk and reading it every morning before work?
