BUILDING A STANDARD FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
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BUILDING A STANDARD FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE PROJECT OVERVIEW 1 Nearly one in six Californians faces unmet mental health needs. These unmet mental health needs directly affect businesses: Absenteeism and loss of productivity at work due to depressive disorders alone cost the California economy approximately $24 billion annually. The workplace is an optimal setting for the prevention of mental health needs and promotion of mental wellbeing for Californians. Adults spend approximately one-third of their time working. To harness this opportunity, the California Legislature unanimously passed AB 1113, directing the Mental Health Commission to establish a framework and voluntary standards for mental health in the workplace. A healthy workplace ensures that all employees can work in a healthy environment and can access the supports they need for mental wellbeing. Supportive work environments include role clarity, positive change management practices, reasonable workloads, opportunities for career growth, and the absence of workplace hostility. Many employers are seeking ways to increase wellbeing in the workplace. However, for many people the workplace exists as a source of stress. Burnout at work is common and often contributes to problems in the family, marriages, and health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated all of this. Adults who find meaning in their work, experience healthy work environments, and have access to a full continuum of mental health supports can be healthy and thrive. MHSOAC | 1325 J Street, Suite 1700 | Sacramento, CA 95814 | Phone (916) 445-8696 | Email [email protected] | mhsoac.ca.gov
Transcript of BUILDING A STANDARD FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
BUILDING A STANDARD FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE PROJECT OVERVIEW
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Nearly one in six Californians faces unmet mental health needs. These unmet mental health needs directly affect businesses: Absenteeism and loss of productivity at work due to depressive disorders alone cost the California economy approximately $24 billion annually.
The workplace is an optimal setting for the prevention of mental health needs and promotion of mental wellbeing for Californians. Adults spend approximately one-third of their time working. To harness this opportunity, the California Legislature unanimously passed AB 1113, directing the Mental Health Commission to establish a framework and voluntary standards for mental health in the workplace.
A healthy workplace ensures that all employees can work in a healthy environment and can access
the supports they need for mental wellbeing. Supportive work environments include role clarity, positive change management practices, reasonable workloads, opportunities for career growth, and the absence of workplace hostility. Many employers are seeking ways to increase wellbeing in the workplace.
However, for many people the workplace exists as a source of stress. Burnout at work is common and often contributes to problems in the family, marriages, and health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated all of this.
Adults who find meaning in their work, experience healthy work environments, and have access to a full continuum of mental health supports can be healthy and thrive.
MHSOAC | 1325 J Street, Suite 1700 | Sacramento, CA 95814 | Phone (916) 445-8696 | Email [email protected] | mhsoac.ca.gov
The Challenge Roadblocks to improving workplace mental health include:
• Stigma and discrimination about mental health
• Difficulty accessing a broad continuum of culturally-appropriatemental health care
• Lack of information and consistency around mental health bestpractices in the workplace
• Shortages in the mental health workforce
The Opportunity The Commission can create voluntary standards for mental health in the workplace. These standards aim to:
• Reduce mental health stigma
• Increase public, employee, and employer awareness of thesignificance of mental health
• Create avenues to treatment, support, and recovery
The Project• Since 2018, the Commission has engaged employers and employees,
subject matter experts, and others to develop voluntary standardsthat organizations can adopt to support the mental health of theiremployees in several ways.
• The framework will help organizations create policies and processesto address mental health in the workplace and incorporate diversity,equity, and inclusion practices.
Phase 1: Research The Commission engaged in research, policy review, and data collection.
Phase 2: Engagement The Commission is engaging with the community through public hearings and listening sessions.
Phase 3: Development The Commission will develop voluntary workplace mental health standards.
Learn more about the Commission’s workplace mental health project on the project website.
MHSOAC | 1325 J Street, Suite 1700 | Sacramento, CA 95814 | Phone (916) 445-8696 | Email [email protected] | mhsoac.ca.gov 2
