Clare Miller
Director, Partnership for Workplace Mental Health
Employers who seek to address mental health issues in the workplace have a daunting task. After all, a comprehensive mental health workplace program could include the following:
- developing a mental health policy that complies with federal and state law
- implementing an employee assistance program
- training managers to recognize mental illness and make referrals
- offering mental health wellness programs, such as stress reduction and mental health awareness trainings and mental health screening tools
- supporting employees’ health care needs, including providing adequate health insurance and allowing treatment-related time off
- addressing employees’ concerns about their co-workers, including providing support services in the event of a mental health-related emergency or death (e.g., attempted or completed suicide)
- communicating with employees about mental health to allay their concerns about job loss, stigma, etc., and encourage them to get help
The good news is that there are a number of programs and resources to help employers address their workplace mental health needs. Today, we look at two companies that have successfully introduced mental health programs, and Clare Miller shares information about Right Direction, a new program from The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health and Employers Health.
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