(Forbes) While we all have emotional ups and downs caused by everyday stress, over 46 million U.S. adults (almost 1 in 5) experience a mental health condition. If left unattended, poor mental health can have far-reaching implications — not only for individuals and their families, but also for their employers, insurers and affinity organizations.
The Hard Costs
According to a 2018 study by the American Heart Association, companies lose $17,241 per year in incremental healthcare and productivity costs for each person with major depressive disorder. Unum’s 2019 mental health report demonstrates that mental health issues can have a significant impact on job performance, mainly through lack of focus, irritability, lower productivity, missed work, tension with co-workers and slower career advancement. The report also shows reasons employees don’t divulge their mental health condition is that they are ashamed, are concerned about discrimination by co-workers or fear they won’t receive a desired promotion.
Apart from its direct effects on one’s state of mind, mental health conditions are also known to significantly impact one’s physical health via “co-morbidities,” i.e., other health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea. In fact, 62% of all missed workdays per year are due to a mental health condition. That is a staggeringly high figure that companies and large organizations can no longer ignore.
The Stigma
Recent research from my company indicates that while 76% of 18- to 34-year-olds say they struggle with their mental health, only a quarter currently receive professional help. Feelings of anxiety and stress are routinely dismissed as just a part of the job or daily life. Additionally, the survey found that over a third of 18- to 55-year-olds say anxiety or depression causes them to be mentally unproductive at work. Those struggling with mental health issues often hesitate to take the necessary time off to focus on their mental health because of the stigma attached.
Since poor mental health can have a far-reaching effect on employees and organizations, measures must be taken to foster mental well-being. Unfortunately, only 68% of employers are described as being committed to mental health by their employees, despite the fact that 97% of employees feel acknowledging mental health is important, based on a survey from the American Heart Association.
As a result, employers and large affinity organizations alike are seeking practical ways to promote good mental health practices and tools for recognition and early identification of mental health issues that can impact business performance. The following are a few ways they can enhance their mental health initiatives.
Five Steps To Improve Organizational Mental Health
1. Be Proactive: Give employees/members access to a mental health fitness program that raises awareness so they can better understand and manage their mental health.
2. Offer Mental Health Benefits: Provide confidential screening and counseling services with emotional support and treatment options.
3. Promote Good Mental Health: Encourage employees to take advantage of available mental health benefits by reducing the stigma of mental illness through education and information.
4. Recognize Warning Signs: Train managers to recognize the signs of mental health conditions and to support struggling employees.
5. Create A Mental Health Policy: Establish an organizational policy that recognizes the importance of the mental well-being of its workforce and solidifies investment in mental health resources.
We are experiencing a public health crisis of significant proportions, and employers and payers are bearing a majority of the financial brunt. The negative domino effects of inaction will only accelerate over time. It is critical that organizations take up the cause of mental health as a real priority — one that can not only provide much-needed support to their employees and members but also directly impact their bottom line.
