When Gabe Howard, an award-winning writer, mental health activist, speaker, and educator, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003. At that time, he was a productive and successful employee in a competitive industry. He underwent therapy for around six weeks and on returning back, he had to face sideways looks and whispers.
Howard said, “Any time I was off, the rumor mill would start all over again. People would say, ‘Well that’s a great scam, Gabe says he’s sick and he gets six weeks paid vacation.”
His first experience dealing with a mental health issue in the workplace was atrocious, which later and ended with his termination. But little did his employer know that he will be losing a valuable young talent? However, Howard went on to have a successful career and now he writes, educates, and speaks about bipolar disorder full-time.
One of the most critical missing pieces of the workplace mental health puzzle is getting educated, for employees as well as employers. Here are a few things employees and employers should know about mental health:
The mental health crisis is present in every workplace. At least one in 5 Americans experiences a mental health issue every year. And for one in 25, the illness is severe. A study found that the U.S. loses more than $190 billion per year due to mental health issues. So, facing such issue is important for organizations.
Employees do have mental health rights in their workplace. There are a few dos and don’ts, such as:
- According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employers may not fire employees, force them to stop working, or reject someone for a job or promotion based on mental health, and employers must provide reasonable accommodations for mental health conditions.
- According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, employees may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to deal with a psychiatric crisis.
- According to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, health insurance plans should include mental health coverage that is comparable to their physical health coverage.
Mental health awareness is necessary. In fact, it is the next wave of societal progress. Fortunately, people are finally becoming aware of the fact that they need to address mental health issues, and many employers are doing the same. One of the best steps an employer can take is to bring a change in the culture surrounding mental health conditions.
Communication is the key. Talking about mental health issues and awareness between employees and management could be of great help. A proactive conversation is what some employees need to get the support they need in their workplace.
Suffering from mental health issues in silence and not seeking treatment can make things worse. Addressing the issue is imperative.
Employees having mental health issues already have many things to do at work. And their struggle with mental health issue can become worse when they do not get enough support from their colleagues and employers.
Many employees have no idea that they have access to employee assistance programs that provide confidential support for employees.
Here is the most important thing to know – mental health conditions are treatable if you address the issue and seek professional help. Employees can take steps to improve their wellbeing at work.
Most people have no idea how to react to a mental health emergency. There are solutions. There are training programs and support groups.
Coworkers can help support each other’s mental health. They can pay attention to or notice their colleagues’ behavioral changes and encourage them to seek help. Above all, “Don’t judge. Treat everyone with dignity and respect,” said Howard.
