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AOA Tips, Views, News & More

Let's Address Mental Health in the Workplace "Head-On"

By Deborah Dutton-Lambert, MBA, PC, CRC &  Dr. Daina  Dennis  of Encompass Training 

With so many people struggling with a mental health condition, why are so few U.S. companies addressing it head-on?  Clearly, many companies have addressed physical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and smoking through their wellness initiatives.  A number of companies have recognized that mental health needs to be an integral part of their wellness programs and even EAP's offer helpful tips on how to deal with stress during difficult times like the holidays.  However, many of these companies are hiding behind the word "STRESS" because they fear an open dialogue using the words mental health and mental illness.  They believe that their employees will not acknowledge or respond to these words due to the stigma surrounding them.

We certainly do not want to discourage companies from addressing stress in their wellness programs.  In fact, stress can be a trigger for mental health conditions.  But, by addressing stress alone, companies are misleading themselves about the real problem of mental health in the workplace.   They are failing to see the complete picture. Until companies understand that mental health conditions are neurobiological in nature and not easily treated with exercise, yoga and meditation, true medical treatment will not be embraced.  Companies have to feel comfortable using the words mental health and mental illness just as they feel comfortable using the words cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Employees who are struggling with depression and anxiety will not just "snap out of it" with traditional wellness initiatives for healthy eating, exercising, and alternative treatments.  An employee who is struggling with depression during the holidays will not necessarily benefit from the "Ten Tips To Reduce Stress" from the EAP newsletter. These individuals require real medical treatment from qualified professionals.  But, in order to get medical treatment they have to be willing to seek treatment.

The fact is that only one-third of those struggling with a mental health condition in the workplace seek treatment.  Many do not disclose to their physician, family members or even their partners.  Until a new vocabulary is in place that promotes a stigma free workplace where any employee can request help without the fear of lost opportunity and ridicule, people will continue to struggle in silence.  The opportunity for early identification and treatment of mental health conditions will be lost until we face mental illness head-on and create a culture that fosters a mental health receptive workplace.

The key component for creating a mental health receptive workplace is education.  In a mental health receptive workplace all employees are educated on common mental health conditions and available resources, policies and procedures are supportive, disclosure does not result in stigma or discrimination in work assignments and promotion, and supervisors know how to openly communicate with their employees who are experiencing performance issues related to a mental health condition.

We believe that a paradigm shift in thinking must first occur within our companies in order to effect a cultural change in how we view people with mental health conditions in society.  We equate this to the shift that occurred in cultural awareness and competency as a result of cultural diversity training in the 1970's.  Just as companies continue to educate all employees on cultural diversity, we would like to see all employees trained on mental health. Yes, stress management is a part of this, but only a part.  The real work is to understand mental illness as a neurobiological disorder with effective treatments in the same way we understand cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions.  In tandem with the understanding is a vocabulary that is non-discriminatory.  Do we make disparaging comments about people who are getting chemotherapy?  Do we tell jokes about or ridicule people with severe heart conditions?  Of course not! People with mental health conditions are not crazy, not lunatics, not wacko, not just stressed out, but are physically ill.  They deserve the same respect we give to those who have cancer or heart disease.

One in Four!  Treatment works!  Let's work together to create mental health receptive workplaces for healthier people, healthier organizations, and a discrimination free society.

For additional information go to "Encompass Training Program" or to contact Debbie & Daina go to "Contact Us"

Insurance Coverage Tip

By Alison Slezak of Martin & Company

New Year, New Fitness Program

Fitness is among the top New Year Resolutions made every year. Staying in front of the fitness craze, Star Insurance Company recently introduced a new FitnessEdge Program which provides Property, Inland Marine and General Liability coverage to the Fitness and Health Club Industry. The Program offers Silver, Gold and Platinum Property Enhancement coverage's, Abuse & Molestation coverage, as well as coverage for Swimming Pools and Liquor Liability. The new Program will be similar to a non-admitted MGA program Star currently writes but will be on a direct and admitted basis.

For additional information, contact Alison at aslezak@martincompanyus.com  or Tel: (610) 325-4455. To view more "hot trends" in the Property & Casualty Insurance Marketplace, visit:

Martin & Company's Market Trends & Updates