Key Note: Meditation on Gratitude

In our December episode, Dr. Tiffany Cudjoe-John explored with us the physical and mental health benefits of expressing gratitude. Of course, some of us may need a little encouragement in learning to recognize and appreciate the good things in life. So, for our Key Note episode, we asked Dr. Cudjoe-John to share a simple meditation you can use to help foster a thankful mindset. We hope this moment of reflection inspires you to begin your own gratitude journey. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback.Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/. Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: www.Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362). Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: [phone]. Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: www.naminycmetro.org. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Tiffany Cudjoe-John, MD, is a dedicated psychiatrist with a passion for understanding and addressing the intricate interplay between mind, body and soul. Her journey into psychiatry began after graduating with a degree in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. She completed her psychiatric residency at Zucker Hillside Hospital, where she refined her clinical skills and deepened her empathy for individuals facing mental health challenges. Since completing her training in 2009, Dr. Cudjoe-John has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, comprehensive psychiatric care. For eight years, she practiced Emergency Psychiatry at one of New York City’s busiest hospitals, gaining significant experience in crisis intervention, inpatient care and consult-liaison psychiatry. Over the past eight years, she has practiced community mental health at a clinic serving diverse and underserved populations, while also maintaining a private practice. Dr. Cudjoe-John’s approach to care is holistic and patient-centered. She integrates evidence-based psychopharmacology and psychotherapy with personalized treatment plans that honor the individuality of each patient. She strives to create a safe, collaborative environment where patients feel empowered to work toward healing, growth and their fullest potential. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Cudjoe-John is passionate about community engagement and mental health advocacy. She has given numerous talks to community groups on mental health awareness and self-care and remains committed to reducing stigma and increasing access to quality mental health care.