Strong Leaders, Healthy Minds: Addressing Burnout & Promoting Well-Being

Please read below for an important update to our September meeting details.

Please join us for our September chapter meeting recognizing the importance of mental health and Suicide Awareness month featuring Cindy Mercado!  Participants will explore the critical connection between workplace stress, burnout, mental health, and suicide prevention. This session examines how chronic stress and exhaustion can affect employee well-being, safety, decision-making, and performance and how supervisors and safety professionals can recognize warning signs, address workplace factors, promote well-being.

Meet Cindy Mercado, MS, CSP, CertIOSH
Cindy is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), a Certified Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH), and an OSHA-certified trainer for general industry, construction, and disaster worker safety. She brings over 20 years of experience in occupational safety across diverse sectors, including food and manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, aviation, and pharmaceutical chemical analysis. Most recently at the University of Florida, Cindy played a pivotal role in transforming Environmental Health & Safety programs for clinics, laboratories, chemical safety operations, and risk management
initiatives. Beyond her professional work, Cindy volunteered as a Safety Official with the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Team, coordinating disaster response and community-driven preparedness efforts. She also supported the American Red Cross, applying her expertise to strengthen emergency preparedness and response in local communities. Cindy holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s in environmental health. Throughout her career, she has served as a safety leader, consultant, and trainer, helping organizations implement robust safety programs and effective risk management strategies.

As a reminder for all Central Florida Chapter Members, if you would like to introduce ASSP to a colleague or friend, their first meeting is complimentary. We would love to meet them and continue expanding our chapter!