Be StigmaFree: A Guide for Leadership
Supporting employee mental health and well-being is a business imperative.
Why?
The cost of unsupported mental health:
- $200 billion is lost in earnings each year in the U.S. through health care usage and decreased work productivity.*
- Depression is the leading cause of disability costs around the world.**
Unsupported mental health can lead to challenges like:
- Low performance and lack of concentration.
- Decreased collaboration and creativity.
- Low morale and low motivation.
- Increased drug and alcohol use.
The good news?
Fortunately, most mental health conditions improve with proper support. As a leader in your organization, you can create a supportive and healthy workplace for employees.
Ways to Foster a Healthy Workplace
FACILITATE EVENTS
Educate staff and start a conversation about mental health.
CREATE GUIDELINES
Develop a fair and equitable code of conduct to include people with mental health conditions.
PROMOTE BALANCE
Model and support work-life balance for employees.
CHECK COVERAGE
Ensure that your health insurance provides comprehensive, affordable and accessible mental health coverage.
PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Provide resources outside of insurance coverage ( e.g. EAPs, employee resource groups, wellness apps, etc.) Foster a culture where getting help for a mental health concern is as routine as getting help for any other concern
BE SUPPORTIVE
Educate staff and start a conversation about mental health.
*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18463104/
**https://www.who.int/health-topics/depression#tab=tab_l