S2 Ep. 5 - Breaking the Stigma

True Talk Cafe Podcast

Welcome to the True Talk Café Podcast S2 Ep. 5 - Breaking the Stigma
Show agenda:

• Defining Mental Health

• Guests Questions
  • As an employer, you want to provide your employees with the support they need and avoid the potential costs of untreated mental health conditions in the workplace. What are a few ways organizations can begin to participate in reducing stigma in the workplace?
  • Communication is a critical part of how you approach mental health in the workplace. A solid communications strategy is integral to making mental well-being and resiliency a key element of your overall health and wellness efforts. How would you foster open conversations about mental health in the workplace through employee communications?
  • Despite increased investment in well-being programs, many employees who stand to benefit aren’t participating in them. What can employers do to encourage employees to participate in their well-being programs?

The Impact of Mental Health on Companies

$10,000 per employee with Depression

One in ten employees will experience Depression every 12 months. For every ten employees, the cost of Depression to an organization paying an average salary of $20.00 per hour is just over $10,000 a year.

2 x Psychological injury claims and increased premiums

In the 2018 financial year, the cost of individual workers’ compensation claims ranged from $1389 to $2687. This cost doesn’t take into account either the high human cost nor the strain on company resources.

50% productivity lost

A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity.

4 days per month in absenteeism

Research done by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2015 predicted that the percent of a company’s staff absent daily was at least 3 percent.

Employee wellness and well-being Initiatives that seek to benefit employees - Forbes Human Resources Council. (Share 2 or 3 of them)

Mental Illness First Aid Certification

It is akin to CPR. At least one member of the HR team should be certified. Employees are under increasing stress, and if we can recognize a problem prior to an incident, it benefits all. Plus, the goal is to take the stigma from mental illness.

Flexible Time-Away-From-Work Programs

Implementing a flexible workplace initiative can create an environment where people have the opportunity to be their best selves at and away from work, in a way that suits their lifestyles.

Emotional Wellness Programs

Implementing a flexible workplace initiative can create an environment where people have the opportunity to be their best selves at and away from work, in a way that suits their lifestyles.

Wellness Ambassadors

An easy way to get employees involved in being "well" is to create a group that meets once a month. They are tasked to spread the word about whatever wellness topics are covered during the meeting in their environments and create healthy challenges for their teams.

Mindful Pauses

Stress is one of the top factors for poor health. Consider eliminating back-to-back meetings and instituting 15 mindful minutes between meetings. Use guided mindfulness breaks once a month -- several are offered online.

Themed Wellness Days

Catering healthy meals on a certain day of the week -- think "Wellness Wednesdays" – can be a great way to promote healthy eating habits among employees and curb afternoon snacking, at least for the day. You can also combine this with other initiatives like "Fit Fridays," where employees are encouraged to compete to get the highest number of steps during the workday or reach some other fitness goal.

Wellness Challenges

Wellness challenges are a fun way to gamify wellness. Employees can earn points and badges for any and all activities that they complete, and they have a choice in what those activities are -- physical wellness, mental wellness, etc. They can form teams and compete as individuals or groups.

Summary

In summary, workplace well-being is a fundamental responsibility of employers, and everyone throughout an organization can play a part to keep themselves and others healthy and safe.

Guests:

• • Crystal Y. Martinez
    • Website: https://.clearmindsrgv.org
    • IG: https://www.instagram.com/clearmindsrgv
    • FB: https://www.facebook.com/clearmindsrgv
      
      

Pod crew questions

• • Renee
  • Karla
  • Lollie
  • Anna

• Conclusion

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