Workplace Mental Health Awareness Expands, Saving Billions
Mental health awareness has been expanding in the workplace, with nurses and healthcare professionals now joining first responders in seeking support. This shift comes as the global economy bears a hefty $1 trillion annual cost due to depression and anxiety disorders, highlighting the need for change.
Several states, including Vermont and Washington, have broadened mental health coverage to encompass anxiety and depression. New York pioneered this move in workers' compensation. Meanwhile, companies are stepping up, recognizing their legal and ethical duty to provide safe, healthy work environments, which includes addressing mental health.
Organizations like DAK Gesundheit and the Deutsches Zentrum für Suchtfragen are offering training and workshops to help employees manage mental and behavioral health in occupational contexts. Early intervention tactics are proving beneficial, helping to mitigate costs and time associated with mental health claims. The surge in mental health awareness across the workers' compensation landscape reflects this shift. Notably, employees with depression miss around 8.7 more workdays per year than their colleagues without depression, underscoring the importance of these initiatives.
With one-in-five American adults living with mental illness, the expansion of mental health support in the workplace is a welcome development. By removing stigma and providing effective support, companies can improve employee health, reduce costs, and foster a more productive work environment.
