Here at OPM we are happy to be participating in OSHA’s upcoming Safe + Sound Week!
Each year, OSHA highlights an aspect of workplace safety that employers can focus on for events and trainings during the designated week in August. What could be more refreshing than shining a spotlight on mental health and well-being for 2023?
Understanding some of the widespread issues impacting workers provides a basis for identifying who may be at risk and what solutions may be accessed to improve outcomes.
Remote Work and Isolation
Since the initial pandemic shutdown in March 2020, companies and their employees have grappled with not only the logistics of operating remotely, but also the unforeseen social and emotional challenges for many workers who lost their daily connection with others. With some employers deciding to forego the expense of a return to physical locations, many employees who looked forward to a return to work have struggled with the isolation of continuing to work alone from home.
Inflation and Financial Strain
No one has slipped through untouched by the recent economic changes. From food to utility costs, the recent spike has impacted everyone. For some, it’s an annoyance and may mean a shift in spending less on luxury items like vacations. For others who were barely surviving financially prior to the increases, it has been devastating. Not being able to afford the basics like food, shelter, and clothing for oneself or one’s family creates levels of stress that will absolutely impact an employee’s ability to fully show up for work.
Rising Insurance Costs
With an estimated 30 million Americans without health insurance, and premiums continuously on the rise, accessing adequate care is increasingly difficult for many. From basic health care to mental health services, the well-being of uninsured American workers leaves little room for illness or injury. Add to the challenge the out-of-pocket cost of non-covered prescription medications, and you end up with under-diagnosed and under-treated workers trying to show up and perform workplace roles without the benefit of actually being well.
Substance Abuse
Over 20 million Americans report having a substance use disorder. From alcohol and street drugs to the intentional misuse of prescribed medications, substance abuse impacts a percentage of the workforce every single day. Holistic treatment that seeks to correct the behavior as well as the underlying cause may be lengthy and costly, but necessary to safeguard against relapse.
Mental Health Awareness
Recent years have brought increased discussion and acceptance of mental health issues to mainstream conversations. From depression to neurodivergence, many individuals and practitioners have taken to social media platforms to share their stories about the challenges faced and changes needed to develop greater understanding and inclusion in the workplace and society as a whole.
EAP Programs
Many larger employers offer Employee Assistance Programs for everything from mental health counseling to physical health and financial counseling services. For covered employees, these services are often free or very low cost means of accessing information and assistance that otherwise would not be readily available or easy to coordinate. However, less than 10% of small employers with fewer than 50 employees typically contract EAP services for their workers due to the cost of such programs.
Health & Wellness Events
Not sure where to find information on local health and wellness events? For some cities, the eventbrite platform lists many options from free yoga events to pricey multi-day retreats. Our California-based staff members can peruse their local San Diego Eventbrite health and wellness events for a variety of opportunities to add to their calendars. Living or visiting somewhere else? Open the main Eventbrite page and edit the “Popular in” dropbox to your area to see what events are available.
What’s the Answer?
Start with a conversation. Use OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week as an opening to ask employees how they’re doing. Find out what challenges they are facing to their health and well-being and how those issues are impacting their work. Provide information and resources for obtaining the assistance they may need. Consider wellness-based training as part of your safety program, and encourage participation in local events that builds a sense of community that extends beyond the typical workplace roles and relationships.
Researchers have identified five different ways that are proven to improve mental well-being. Promoting opportunities that include these activities may further boost workplace wellness:
- Get active – physical movement improves physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning
- Connect with others – interpersonal relationships are vital to mental well-being
- Learn something new – curiosity leads to esteem-boosting knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Cultivate awareness of yourself and the world around you
- Give to others – while giving money can feel good, giving of your time to others provides greater rewards
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