Although Mental Health Awareness Month is coming to an end, we urge community members and business leaders to prioritize mental wellness all year long. This is especially crucial in the workplace, where each of us can make a significant impact on the lives of others.
Our experiences — one of us is the CEO and executive director of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado and the other is a business owner and Colorado Springs City Council member — have shown us that addressing employees’ mental health needs can not only improve individual wellbeing, it can also boost workplace productivity and morale.
Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, playing a vital role in managing stress, relating to others, and making decisions.
Signs of mental health issues include persistent sadness, anxiety, changes in sleep or appetite, and difficulty concentrating. Untreated mental health issues can lead to decreased focus, motivation and energy. This can result in missed deadlines, reduced work quality and absenteeism.
Between 2019 and 2021, the number of American adults reporting anxiety and depression rose from 11% to 42%, according to a CDC survey. This means that 97 million people — nearly half of the American workforce — are suffering from anxiety and depression. Beyond the human impact, the financial cost of employee mental health challenges is significant. In pre-pandemic years, mental health conditions cost employers between $100 and $500 billion per year and resulted in 217 million days of lost work annually in the United States alone. With the continued deterioration of mental health, these numbers have likely increased.
To address these challenges, businesses must transition mental health and wellness from being solely a human resources issue to a management priority. Various strategies can help, starting with changing workplace culture to reduce isolation and improve connectedness.
Over the next six months, the 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative will take place throughout the city, and businesses can participate to foster community and support among employees. Additional strategies include:
• Training Leadership: Offer training opportunities such as Mental Health First Aid to equip managers with the skills to support employees.
• Continuous Training on Mental Health in the Workplace: Incorporate regular suicide prevention and workplace mental health training for all employees.
• Flexible Work Options: Increase employees’ options for where, when and how they work.
• Supportive Environment: Create an environment where employees feel safe seeking help, which reduces the stigma of asking for support.
On Aug. 22, we will attend the Workplace Wellness Summit in Colorado Springs, and we encourage all businesses to participate. For future registration, details, and resources on workplace mental health and wellness, visit https://spcollab.org/employer-resources
We know firsthand the profound impact that mental health support can have on individuals, families, businesses and communities.
By reducing stigma, encouraging open discussions about mental health, and implementing supportive workplace strategies, we can create a healthier, more supportive work environment and a stronger, more resilient community.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or signs of depression, you can contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Jonathan Liebert is the CEO and executive director of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado. He has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, extensive experience in the mental health sector, and advocates for integrating mental health and wellness into the core of business operations. David Leinweber is the owner of Angler’s Covey, an At-Large Colorado Springs City Council member who ran to elevate mental health in the community, and is the founder of The Morning Hatch Foundation, which helps programs that bring mental health care using the outdoors.