OCTA Partners with OC Health Care to Promote Mental Health Awareness

10/10/2024

Launch of campaign coincides with World Mental Health Day and encourages people to consider taking public transportation for relaxation, mindfulness and to connect with community resources

ORANGE - The Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with the OC Health Care Agency, today launched a new campaign called "Your Route to Well-Being," an innovative program designed to empower people by promoting healthier lifestyles, reducing stress, and fostering community connections through the use of OC Bus services.

The launch was announced during OCTA's Transit Committee today, coinciding with World Mental Health Day.

The campaign features a compelling message: OC Bus isn't just a ride, it's your path to better health. The program aims to encourage individuals to integrate public transportation into their daily routines as a means to enhance overall well-being.

Whether it's commuting to work, running errands, walking to and from bus stops, reading a book or journaling while an OCTA coach operator does the driving, or taking a ride to a local wellness event, using public transit can be a way to a healthier lifestyle.

"We want people to know that riding OC Bus is an opportunity to invest in your own personal health, physically and mentally," said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. "Orange County is a rich and diverse community, and we want to help people discover public transit as a way to connect with the many people and resources within our community."

As a program partner, the OC Health Care Agency is providing a custom-built version of OC Navigator specifically for OC Bus riders. The OC Navigator website, ocbus.ocnavigator.org, includes resources for mental wellness, tips on happiness and gratitude, mindfulness apps, among other resources.

"Partnerships like this one with OCTA are essential in promoting mental health and wellness," said Dr. Veronica Kelly, Director of The OC Health Care Agency. "The 'Your Route to Well-Being' campaign encourages our community to embrace public transportation and enhance their health. By connecting with vital resources through OC navigator, together, we're paving the way for a healthier, more connected Orange County."

The campaign is being featured inside and on the outside of many of the nearly 500 OC Buses that travel throughout Orange County - from La Habra to Newport Beach, Santa Ana to San Clemente.

The colorful ads promoting the campaign, which will run in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, are aimed at all riders - from young riders who can travel free on OC Bus through the Youth Ride Free pass, community college students who ride with the College Pass, and senior riders who can travel on the bus with discounted passes.

Walking to the bus is one important aspect of this initiative: Every step taken to reach the bus stop is a step toward improved well-being. As part of the program's mantra, "Give Your Step Some Pep & Give Your Spirit an Adventure," OCTA emphasizes the importance of physical activity in daily commutes.

And while on the bus, OCTA encourages riders to enhance their travel time by transforming the ride into moments of relaxation and productivity, to "Give Your Brain a Break & Give Your Mind a Boost" by utilizing the bus ride to read, meditate, or simply enjoy the scenery.

The ads feature a website and a QR code riders can scan to get more information and connect with resources.

Through the campaign, OCTA is also partnering with the meditation app, Happier, to offer riders a chance to reduce stress and enhance mental wellness. The partnership includes free meditations, an extended 60-day free trial (normally 7 days) and a 40% discount on an annual subscription. Riders can also enter for a chance to win a 30-day OC Bus pass and a free year of the Happier meditation app.

"I hope people will join us in taking a ride toward a healthier lifestyle," OCTA Chair Nguyen said. "With OC Bus, every journey counts."

To learn more about the initiative and explore available resources, visit www.ocbus.com/wellness.

OCTA coach operators pose for a photo on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in front of an OC Bus wrapped with the new mental-wellness campaign message along with (left to right): Dr. Sharon Ishikawa, OC Health Care Agency Assistant Deputy Director, Ian Kemmer OC HCA Behavioral Health Services Director, OCTA directors Fred Jung and Patrick Harper, and OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson.

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