3 minute read
Benefits Corner
Mental Health Issues Affect Businesses and Their Employees
According to the CDC, employees are continually faced with mental health issues during this unforeseen time. It is important as employers to help negate this as much as possible. The CDC states the following:
Poor mental health and stress can negatively affect employee:
• Job performance and productivity. • Engagement with one’s work. • Communication with coworkers. • Physical capability and daily functioning.
Mental illnesses such as depression are associated with higher rates of disability and unemployment.
• Depression interferes with a person’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduces cognitive performance about 35% of the time. • Only 57% of employees who report moderate depression and 40% of those who report severe depression receive treatment to control depression symptoms. Even after taking other health risks—like smoking and obesity—into account, employees at high risk of depression had the highest health care costs during the 3 years after an initial health risk assessment.
Solution
Employers Can PROMOTE Awareness About the Importance of Mental Health and Stress Management. Workplace health promotion programs have proven to be successful, especially when they combine mental and physical health interventions.
Action steps employers can take include:
• Make mental health self-assessment tools available to all employees. • Distribute materials, such as brochures, fliers, and videos, to all employees about the signs and symptoms of poor mental health and opportunities for treatment. • Host seminars or workshops that address depression and stress management techniques, like mindfulness, breathing exercises, and meditation, to help employees reduce anxiety and stress and improve focus and motivation. • Create and maintain dedicated, quiet spaces for relaxation activities. • Provide managers with training to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and depression in team members and encourage them to seek help from qualified mental health professionals. • Provide tool kits and materials for organizations and employers delivering mental health and stress management education. • Provide courses, guidance, and decision-making tools to help people manage their mental health and well-being.
To read full article click here: https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/tools-resources/workplace-health/mental-health/index.html
Column Provided by: Shane Pennington, Regional Sales Executive, Educational Benefits, Inc.
The AAEA Team
We are here to assist you!
2021/2022 Tier 1 Update Virtual Session October 7, 2021 Virtual
The 2021 ASPMA Conference will be held October 4-6 at the Hot Springs Embassy Suites and Hot Spring Convention Center. CFD Classes will be held on October 4th. Guest Speaker, Merlyna Valentine will present “Mission Possible - Your Work Matters.” Online registration has closed, but on-site registration will be available!
AAEA is offering a virtual Tier 1 session on October 7, 10:00am - 12:00pm. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Dean or Robyn Keene at 501-372-1691. Click here to register!
2021 AAGEA Conference October 7-8, 2021 Benton, AR & Virtual
New GT Coordinator Training will be held the afternoon of October 7 with the full AAGEA Conference on October 8. These events will be held at the Benton Event Center. The AAGEA Conference on October 8 will be available onsite as well as virtually. Click here to register!
2021 AACTEA Fall CTC Tour October 19, 2021 Pine Bluff & Sheridan, AR
Join us for a tour of the Jefferson Area Technical Career Center in Pine Bluff and the Kohler Academy in Sheridan. Register here for this no cost event!
2021 AAEA Fall Conference October 20, 2021 Hot Springs, AR & Virtual
The 2021 AAEA Fall Conference will be held October 20 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Dr. Chris Weber will guide participants through the process of creating an RTI system to support behavior. Attendees may choose to participate onsite or virtually. Click here to register!
2022 Arkansas Privacy & Security Forum January 27-28, 2022 Little Rock, AR & Virtual
AAEA is excited to partner with the Arkansas Department of Education this year to offer our first Arkansas Privacy & Security Forum, January 27-28, 2022 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Little Rock. Registration will open soon!
