The theme of World Mental Health Day 2017 is mental health in the workplace, which can be a breeding ground for depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Companies that make proactive measures to promote mental well-being can improve its employees lives, and recover some of the billions of dollars lost each year.
The economic costs of mental health
From a purely business perspective, supporting employees living with mental health illnesses is a wise move. Reduced productivity of those who continue to work, despite being unwell, costs the US economy upwards of $150 billion. Much of this could be saved if companies create an environment in which employees are able to be open about their mental health, and seek help and support when needed. Unfortunately, many do not work in such an environment, which is part of the reason nearly 60% of those living with a mental health condition do not receive treatment.
The human cost
44.7 million adults in America are estimated to live with a mental health condition, which is over 18% of the population. For those working in an environment hostile to mental health conditions, relief and help can be difficult to come by. Many are embarrassed to be open, for fear of how their boss and colleagues might react. All too many feel the only option is to keep their mental health issues to themselves, instead of risking such negative reactions. Such a situation only stands to perpetuate and exacerbate the condition, though, as well as negatively affecting their productivity.
What can be done?
Forwarding-thinking companies that have taken proactive measures to promote mental health have improved the well-being of their employees, and increased their productivity. It’s estimated that 57.5 days are lost per employee each year because of reduced productivity, but these companies have managed to reclaim an average of 10 of those by taking these positive measures. The sooner more companies follow suit, the sooner they will too see the human and financial benefits.
This infographic was produced by MyTherapy (available for iOS and Android)
The economic costs of mental health
From a purely business perspective, supporting employees living with mental health illnesses is a wise move. Reduced productivity of those who continue to work, despite being unwell, costs the US economy upwards of $150 billion. Much of this could be saved if companies create an environment in which employees are able to be open about their mental health, and seek help and support when needed. Unfortunately, many do not work in such an environment, which is part of the reason nearly 60% of those living with a mental health condition do not receive treatment.
The human cost
44.7 million adults in America are estimated to live with a mental health condition, which is over 18% of the population. For those working in an environment hostile to mental health conditions, relief and help can be difficult to come by. Many are embarrassed to be open, for fear of how their boss and colleagues might react. All too many feel the only option is to keep their mental health issues to themselves, instead of risking such negative reactions. Such a situation only stands to perpetuate and exacerbate the condition, though, as well as negatively affecting their productivity.
What can be done?
Forwarding-thinking companies that have taken proactive measures to promote mental health have improved the well-being of their employees, and increased their productivity. It’s estimated that 57.5 days are lost per employee each year because of reduced productivity, but these companies have managed to reclaim an average of 10 of those by taking these positive measures. The sooner more companies follow suit, the sooner they will too see the human and financial benefits.
This infographic was produced by MyTherapy (available for iOS and Android)