There’s a Need For Mental Health Training for Planners. Some Companies are Stepping Up.

Like most meeting planners, Victoria DeLuise, director of venue sourcing at FIRST, is expert at putting on a calm face even when she is completely stressed.

It’s a must in this industry, she says.

So when her agency offered employees a chance to take a course in mental health first aid, she jumped at the opportunity — not just for herself, but also so she could help her staff of five and her colleagues.

“The events industry is so fast-paced and high-pressure, and we are all juggling so many things both personally and professionally.” she said. “I’ve dealt with anxiety. That’s what pushed me to do this training, and also so I could be someone others could talk to who understands that mental health is as important as physical health.”

She and 20 colleagues from FIRST who were located around the world just completed 16 hours of online training by the organization Stress Matters to become certified Mental Health First Aiders. This U.K.-based B-Corp was created by career coach and wellbeing advocate Laura Capell-Abra after she suffered her own debilitating burnout. Her mission is to share how to manage stress at work with as many organizations as possible.

The course covered a range of topics, from recognizing the early signs of burnout or the symptoms of a panic attack to suicide prevention and self-harm. “It will help us notice when something’s not right, listen to the person, and help connect them to the support that they need,” she said. “This is something we can implement all our lives.”

Call for Industry-specific Training

Not all companies are willing to invest in mental health training. Also, there are hundreds of courses available to human resources directors, but meeting planners argue that their jobs require education that’s specific to the stresses of this industry, including the constant travel.

That’s why Janice Cardinale, founder of Event Minds Matter, is on a mission to make psychological safety training compulsory in the event industry.

Cardinale released a series of 30 videos, “30 days, 30 voices” during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, in which high-profile industry leaders including SITE CEO Annette Gregg spoke up about the topic. She also launched a survey of planners with Anna Sverdlick, Ph.D., founder of Melioscope, with final results expected this fall. Questions focused on industry satisfaction, work/life balance, stress at work, burnout, and psychological safety. Results will be released this fall.

“Our mission for 2026 is to write the curriculum and be supported by the EIC [Events Industry Council] for accreditation towards certifications that they provide,” she said.