Roughly a third of our lives is spent at work. And while we already know jobs can lead to insomnia, workaholism, divorce, and in some cases, even death, many companies still don’t dedicate the time or resources necessary to addressing mental health in the workplace.
In January 2021, over 40% of individuals reported symptoms of depression and/or anxiety disorders. The CDC has resources aimed at employees and how to handle work stress, but there aren’t many tools available for companies looking to improve the overall mental wellness of their people. Workplace fatigue? Yes. But mental health? Not so much.
As people begin to trickle back into the workplace, addressing mental health is going to be absolutely integral to the overall health and safety of your employees and the ultimately, the success of your company. The mental health crisis emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic is going to be a wave of its own.
So, what is your organization preparing to do to help the 2 in 5 people dealing with some level of mental illness in your workforce? Will you be prioritizing talking about mental health? Offering coping mechanisms? Reducing stigmatizing language? Providing resources for people experiencing challenges or crises?
Maybe you don’t know where to begin. That’s OK, too. You’re here, and that’s a step in itself. We can help. Kynd Voice is a program offered through Project Helping. We assist companies in addressing mental health with employees on all levels. Kynd Voice teaches people how to advocate for themselves through the power of story, and how to be more aware of the people around them who may be struggling. Even if someone isn’t personally impacted by mental illness, they likely have a friend or family member who is. Our role is to create a safe space to open up the conversation and empower people to seek help without shame or fear of retribution.
Additionally, we offer Mental Health First Aid training for adults, as well.
If you want to get ahead of the looming mental health crisis, don’t wait to address mental health in your workplace. Be the example. Help yourself and your employees. Contact Kat Atwell at Project Helping by emailing kat@projecthelping.org to start implementing programs aimed at improving workplace mental health.
