Workplace Mental Health
Making Workplace Mental Health Work
This is a leading resource on mental health at work.
workplacementalhealth.org/
Our MissionThe Center for Workplace Mental Health, formerly known as the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, provides employers the tools, resources and information needed to promote and support the mental health of employees and their families.
While treatment works and is cost effective, many people who need help are not getting it, despite the availability of services and supports through employee assistance programs (EAPs) and mental health benefit coverage.
Employers increasingly recognize that untreated mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, lead to costly challenges, including:
The Center engages employers and our other partners in eliminating stigma, reducing barriers to care, raising broader mental health awareness, improving and implementing mental health programs, and designing benefits that improve employee mental health. This work is done through turn-key programs, toolkits, employer case studies, topical resources, publications and more.
Better workplace mental health policies and practices improve employee productivity and quality of life for all those affected by mental health issues.
Join our growing network of more than 10,000 employers and learn how you can better serve your employees' mental health needs.
This is a leading resource on mental health at work.
workplacementalhealth.org/
Our MissionThe Center for Workplace Mental Health, formerly known as the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, provides employers the tools, resources and information needed to promote and support the mental health of employees and their families.
While treatment works and is cost effective, many people who need help are not getting it, despite the availability of services and supports through employee assistance programs (EAPs) and mental health benefit coverage.
Employers increasingly recognize that untreated mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, lead to costly challenges, including:
- Absenteeism
- Significantly reduced productivity
- Increased health care and disability costs
The Center engages employers and our other partners in eliminating stigma, reducing barriers to care, raising broader mental health awareness, improving and implementing mental health programs, and designing benefits that improve employee mental health. This work is done through turn-key programs, toolkits, employer case studies, topical resources, publications and more.
Better workplace mental health policies and practices improve employee productivity and quality of life for all those affected by mental health issues.
Join our growing network of more than 10,000 employers and learn how you can better serve your employees' mental health needs.
The Depression Calculator for Employers
Depression affects more than 16 million Americans and is the leading cause of disability worldwide, costing the U.S. economy $210.5 billion per year in absenteeism, reduced productivity and medical costs. The Depression Calculator for Employers uses a wealth of the latest research to model how depression impacts a company or organization, based on just a few key demographics. How much time and money is your company losing to depression, and how much can you recover? Start the calculator to find out. www.workplacementalhealth.org/depressioncalculator/
Depression affects more than 16 million Americans and is the leading cause of disability worldwide, costing the U.S. economy $210.5 billion per year in absenteeism, reduced productivity and medical costs. The Depression Calculator for Employers uses a wealth of the latest research to model how depression impacts a company or organization, based on just a few key demographics. How much time and money is your company losing to depression, and how much can you recover? Start the calculator to find out. www.workplacementalhealth.org/depressioncalculator/
Employee mental health costs rise twice as fast as all other medical expenses
From CNBC, 9.27.2018. Read full story here
From CNBC, 9.27.2018. Read full story here
- The amount of money companies spend on the mental health of their employees has been rising rapidly.
- Employers plan to make mental health one of their top priorities in coming years, a new Willis Towers Watson survey finds.
- People with mental health conditions make six times as many emergency room visits as the overall population.
Mental Health Landscape at Work
www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/mental-health-at-work/
Workplace stress isn’t uncommon, but when left unchecked, it can lead to bigger problems, such as depression and anxiety. When this happens, stress not only creates debilitating negative emotions, but it also results in lower productivity, the inability to concentrate on work and strained relationships with colleagues. This guide provides tips on how to make mental health a priority when on the job as well as information on how some organizations have made good mental health a part of their culture.
www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/mental-health-at-work/
Workplace stress isn’t uncommon, but when left unchecked, it can lead to bigger problems, such as depression and anxiety. When this happens, stress not only creates debilitating negative emotions, but it also results in lower productivity, the inability to concentrate on work and strained relationships with colleagues. This guide provides tips on how to make mental health a priority when on the job as well as information on how some organizations have made good mental health a part of their culture.
How to Improve Mental Health at Work
www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/mental-health-at-work/
Considering the amount of time people dedicate to their jobs, it’s important for them to be able to navigate the workplace in a way that reduces stress, rather than exacerbates it. The following tips can help workers alleviate the effects of the stressors they experience at work in order to improve their overall mental health.
www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/mental-health-at-work/
Considering the amount of time people dedicate to their jobs, it’s important for them to be able to navigate the workplace in a way that reduces stress, rather than exacerbates it. The following tips can help workers alleviate the effects of the stressors they experience at work in order to improve their overall mental health.
- Know the signs of a problem.When people begin suffering from depression or anxiety, there will be changes in their behavior they should pay close attention to. Some of those signs may include taking longer to complete routine tasks, having difficulty communicating with coworkers and feeling the need to call in sick more frequently. As people experience these problems, they may begin to push themselves to work harder, which may eventually aggravate the issue.
- Make a to-do list.Feeling overwhelmed from a mountain of work can contribute to anxiety and depression, so making a to-do list can help people stay on track. Not only does this help people prioritize what needs to be done, it also allows them to feel better every time they check an item off.
- Take frequent breaks.“People can make sure that they take time out of their workday for ‘wellness breaks,’” says workplace consultant Michael Klein. “For some folks, this can be short walks during their lunch hour, breaks with colleagues or even five minutes of relaxation (or guided mediation using various free apps) at their desk or elsewhere.”
- Drink water.People who are suffering from anxiety and depression often neglect basic self-care activities, including drinking water. Staying hydrated at work can go a long way toward helping people concentrate and stay centered, which may reduce the effects of stressors in the office.
- Avoid workplace gossip.Although some people use workplace gossip for entertainment, a way to bond with coworkers or to communicate their frustrations, in the long run, it can cause more stress because it lowers morale and strains relationships with colleagues. Venting about problems with a coworker, however, can be healthy as long as the conversation is done directly with that person and not third parties.
- Avoid taking on too much.“Think before you commit to a project, assignment or committee position,” says Phillip A. Ginter, Regional Director of Community Initiatives at HealthlinkNY. “Consider your needs and available resources, and evaluate whether it will lead to overextending yourself.”
- Set small, manageable goals.When a workload seems unachievable, it can make people feel helpless and contribute to their stress and anxiety levels. Setting manageable goals can help break down big tasks into smaller ones so the work doesn’t feel so daunting.
- Add personal items to a workspace.Adding personal items to a workspace can help people feel better when they’re experiencing stress. When people can look at reminders of their loved ones, favorite pet or enjoyable hobbies, it can help them feel centered and positive as they think about the things that make them happiest.
- Talk to human resources.“If organizational or management issues are creating mental distress, it is important to alert a human resources professional at their organization to discuss,” Klein says. “This can feel like a risky move to make. However, once an HR professional is told ‘on the record’ that an employee is under emotional distress, they are required by law to address the issue.”
- Identify triggers.Everyone has different triggers for anxiety and depression in the workplace — from doing a presentation to writing reports to going to a company function — so it’s important for people to track the situations that make them uncomfortable in order to prepare. Workers who aren’t sure what their triggers are can keep a journal of the things that have led to stress in order to identify them. Next, they should do things to relax before these triggers come up, such as stretching, doing breathing exercises or taking a quick walk.
- Get help.People who are having problems don’t have to suffer in silence. Mental health professionals can help those struggling with anxiety and depression develop the tools they need to cope with their stressful workplace, as well as prescribe appropriate medications as needed.
- Don’t feel ashamed.“Accept that there is no shame to experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder,” Ginter says. “A national survey found that 1 out of 5 working adults reported having experienced a mental health disorder in the previous month, so you’re not alone.”
What Are Companies Doing to Address Mental Health?
Some people don’t get help for their mental illness because they’re afraid of the repercussions of letting their boss know about their problems. However, many workplaces understand the true cost of not dealing with issues like anxiety and depression, so they work to promote good mental health. The following companies are examples of those that have made good mental health among workers a priority. Click here to learn more:
www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/mental-health-at-work/
Some people don’t get help for their mental illness because they’re afraid of the repercussions of letting their boss know about their problems. However, many workplaces understand the true cost of not dealing with issues like anxiety and depression, so they work to promote good mental health. The following companies are examples of those that have made good mental health among workers a priority. Click here to learn more:
www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/mental-health-at-work/