OCTOBER 2015
October 8th
National Depression Screening Day

black African American ethnicity tired and frustrated woman working as secretary in stress at work office desk with computer laptop asking for help in business frustration conceptThe mental health of workers is an area of increasing concern to organizations. Depression is a major cause of disability, absenteeism, presenteeism, and productivity loss among working-age adults.  Mental illness and substance abuse annually cost employers an estimated $80 to $100 billion in indirect costs alone. The good news is that treatment works. The majority of individuals with mental illness will improve with appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing monitoring.

There are a number of strategies employers can pursue to support employees' mental health such as holding depression recognition screenings; placing confidential self-rating sheets in cafeterias, break rooms, or bulletin boards; promoting greater awareness through 
employee assistance programs (EAP); training supervisors in depression recognition; and ensuring  workers' access to needed psychiatric services through health insurance benefits and benefit structures.

Get the National Depression Screening Day Toolkit here or visit our webpage  to find additional resources
DuPont's ICU ("I See You") Program available to Employers

ICU Program
ICU Program
The ICU Program is an awareness campaign for the workplace designed to decrease the stigma associated with the topic of mental health and foster a workplace culture that supports emotional health. The ICU Program was developed by DuPont's Employee Assistance Program and delivered to their 70,000 employees worldwide. DuPont donated ICU to the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, which now makes it available at no cost to employers across all sectors, industries, and sizes.

Just as people with a physical injury or illness may require help through an Intensive Care Unit, so people with a psychological/emotional injury or illness may require help from one another. Thus, "ICU" becomes "I See You." ICU is designed to be used in tandem with your organization's existing mental health and wellness programs - it does not replace them.

Get the toolkit implementation guide, leadership presentation, employee flyers, and more by visiting the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health.  
Employer Case Examples
Employer Case Examples database helps to facilitate the sharing of successful employer practices in key areas of mental health. Use this tool to identify ways to advance mental health at your company - and then come back to share your story!
Browse all, or search by industry, size or geography here.

  

New Dates Announced!

 November 9th, 10th 

9:30 am- 4:00 pm

Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center

Cambridge, MD

Registration

 

The Work@Health® employer-training program is an initiative of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to promote workplace wellness through employer education, training, and technical assistance. The two-day workshop  covers a number of core workplace health principles including:
  • Why having a workplace wellness program makes good business sense
  • How to assess the workplace health needs of organizations
  • How to plan, implement, and create an environment that supports science-based workplace health programs, policies, and practices that provide a great return on investment
  • How to know if your workplace health and wellness program is working and how to continuously improve its quality
  • How to develop and leverage partnerships, community links, and resources to support workplace health
     
October Wellnotes and Health Challenge
October WellNotes
Healthy Weight Protects Memory, Tips for a Healthier Halloween, Zucchini Lasagna
October Health Challenge
Take this month's health challenge- strengthen your core! 

Nicole Morris, MS, RN, CWWS
Regional Lead
Healthiest Maryland Businesses
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