Mental Health in the Workplace

1 in 5 American workers suffer from mental illness

Starting the Dialogue: Mental Health in the Workplace

It’s time for an open dialogue about mental health in the workplace. An estimated 1 in 5 Americans 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. The number one cause of adult disability worldwide is psychiatric disease. Mental health is a major business issue. The decrease in productivity, increased errors, absenteeism, short term and long-term disability cause staggering financial losses to corporate America. Mental illness and substance use disorders cost employers $80-$100 billion annually in indirect costs.

Mental Illness is a secret that no one wants to talk about for fear of being labeled, judged, marginalized and negatively impacted at work.

American businesses are not addressing the increasing and pervasive problem of depression and mental illness.

Carol Kivler starts the dialogue about mental health in the workplace. She brings a unique perspective to this subject. As a corporate trainer and international executive coach with an MS in Human Resource Education, as well as a patient, who has lived with clinical depression for over 20 years, Carol understands both sides of the equation. She equips employers with strategies to create an atmosphere that respects and responds to a workforce directly or indirectly affected by mental illness. Further, she addresses the pervasive stigmas that prevent employees from admitting they are suffering from a mental health disorder.

Objectives

To provide leaders with the direction to dispel myths and break the common stigmas surrounding mental health in the workplace. To encourage those with mental illnesses to embrace treatments that can return them to a highly-productive work life and professional well-being.

Presentation Highlights Include Identifying

  • The signs and symptoms of mental illness in the workplace.
  • Stressors within the work environment that contribute to mental health disorders.
  • The difference employers can make in altering the impact of mental illness diagnoses.
  • Strategies to address employee mental health disorders.
  • The need for employee self-awareness programs as part of a company-wide strategy.
  • Partners to provide workforce awareness and education.