The giant stigma surrounding mental health is hurting businesses. Because more people are not willing to go into treatment, call-outs or losing your job can cause companies to hit a financial blunder. By erasing the stigma of mental health in the workplace, employees can keep their jobs and businesses can continue to thrive.
Hard Financial Costs of Workplace Mental Health
A 2018 study by the American Heart Association reported that companies lose $17,241 a year in healthcare and productivity costs for each person with depression. Mental health issues can affect a person’s job performance where they cannot focus, are irritable, miss work, or have fights with co-workers. Mental health can also affect a person’s physical state like having trouble sleeping or heart issues. 62% of missed workdays a year are due to a mental health condition. Mental health interfering in the costs of businesses is something that managers can no longer ignore.
Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
Research has shown that while 76% of people from ages 18-34 have struggled with their mental health, only a quarter of them have received treatment for it. If you express that you have anxiety, others are quick to dismiss those feelings as a side effect of the job that you need to get used to. Because of the stigma attached to it, those with mental health are scared of losing their job over it if they tell their employers. This is why more employers and organizations are trying to make more efforts to promote good mental health practices into the workforce to ensure a healthy business atmosphere.
How to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace
Businesses can give employees access to mental health fitness programs to better understand and manage their mental health. Make sure there are confidential screenings available as well as counseling services for emotional support. Let employees know that it is okay to seek out mental health services and to take advantage of the mental health benefits offered in the company. Recognize the warning signs of mental health conditions so that you can offer the right kind of support for them. Instead of pretending that mental illness does not exist, find ways to bring more awareness to your organization whether it is creating a company fundraiser towards mental health research or a time where employees and employers can get together to talk. Mental health efforts by companies can prevent financial ruin.
At Alta Loma Transformational Living, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. Alta Loma uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, where you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 866-457-3843.
