Mental Illness in the Workplace

With an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older ý about one in four adults ý suffering from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, mental Illness, either directly or indirectly, affects nearly every person in the workplace; but it's still an unspoken and neglected reality for most companies. In order to improve productivity and create a more stable, committed workforce, companies need to make efforts to remove the stigma often associated with mental illness and address the needs it creates in the workplace.

Consider the following:

Absenteeism

Mental illness is the leading cause of absenteeism in the workplace - higher than heart condition, diabetes and back problems combined.

ýPresenteeismý

Depression is the leading cause of "presenteeism" where an employee shows up for work but is not engaged in their jobs, affecting their productivity.

Disability

Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada for ages 15-44.

Cost

Untreated mental illness costs the USA $105 billion in lost productivity each year, with U.S. employers footing up to $44 billion of the bill, according to the National Mental Health Association.

Threat of Litigation

Federal guidelines issued in 1997 explain how employers can make accommodations for employees with serious mood disorders. Those who don't make accommodations could be sued. In 2004, the EEOC took in $469,000 in financial settlements for employees who complained that they'd been discriminated against because of depression: 889 cases were filed. By 2005, that amount ballooned to more than $3 million: 1,005 cases were filed in that fiscal year.

How can a company combat the myths, lift the stigma and address mental health needs in the workplace?

Here are five suggestions:

Take a Stand

This clear message needs to be communicated to every employee: The organization has a nondiscriminatory attitude ý it sees mental illness as no different from physical illness in terms of how people are treated in the workplace.

Teach & Train

Training and information on mental-health facts, myths and stigma should be provided to all super visors.

Inform

All employees should be told ý without having to ask ý about insurance coverage for mental health care.

Protect

Companies should eradicate coverage gaps and lags. Mental health coverage often lags behind coverage for physical ailments. Health plans may restrict the number of times an employee can see a mental health provider, for example. Americans battling depression with limited access to mental health care could face bills of $18,000 annually to cover health-related expenses due to their condition, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Those with limited access were four times as likely to quit their jobs.

Educate & Eradicate Stigma

Business should promote Mental Illness Awareness Week in the workplace through lunch and learns, managerial training to spot signs and symptoms, and corporate emails outlining various mental health issues, community mental health resources, and reminders that mental health is just as important as physical health; and that mental illness is treatable.

Despite the fact that they are often creative and productive employees, people with a mental illnesses face the highest degree of stigmatization in the workplace and the greatest barriers to employment opportunities. Mental Illness is not a character flaw; it's a treatable illness. By becoming more informed about mental illness, employers and coworkers can alleviate stigma and help an employee diagnosed with a mental illness to be a healthy, productive part of the team.

Kate McLaughlin writes, speaks and advocates for mental health awareness. She is available to speak at events for high school & college students and faculties, as well as mental health support groups. Visit her at: Kate McLaughlin and read her newest book, MOMMY I'M STILL IN HERE.

Related News:

Being Bipolar disorder will disqualify you to become a surrogate mother because you are deemed as physiologically unhealthy.

The Online Bipolar Test - What's It All About?
An online bipolar test should not be used as your sole means of diagnosis! You will be doing yourself or your loved ones a great disservice if you try to self-diagnose. Only a trained and qualified medical professional has the ability to evaluate you for any type of mental illness.

Bipolar Type 2 And Type 1 - What Is The Difference?
Both bipolar disorder categories share the same characteristics in mood swing levels. However, the drawing line between the bipolar type 1 and the bipolar type 2 is on the varied episode levels of each mood swing.

Related Articles:

Learn More About Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bipolar affective disease is a recurring illness that means if left untreated it can continue indefinitely. It is very important that a patient who suffers from bipolar affective disorder is treated for the disease not only when it is diagnosed but also through the course of their lives.…

Sufferers of Bipolar Disorder - Good Parent, Bad Parent
Although no child should have to experience some of the problems that come with having a bipolar disorder parent, no upbringing is perfect, and like most bad experiences in life, good lessons can be learnt from them. Most children of parents with bipolar disorder learn a great deal about mental illness during their parents depressive and manic episodes, and grow into extremely understanding adults. The unique positive traits that come with bipolar disorder can create a very open and loving relationship between the child and the parent with bipolar disorder that is full of deep emotion and understanding. Its up to you to decide whether the pros make up for the cons for children of parents with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Affective Disorder - You Are Not Alone
A number of instances may set off the mood swings which include - inadequate sleep, drug abuse, not taking medications, illnesses, fall outs with family and friends, bereavements etc. It's also common to trigger mood swings when placed in a new environment such as starting a new job or going to university.

Parenting A Bipolar Child - Help Your Child Lead A Rewarding Life
Parenting a child with bipolar disorder presents its own unique challenges. Family and friends may have attributed your child's difficult behavior to stubbornness or other personality flaws. They may disagree with your parenting skills, however it is important to recognize and accept bipolar disorder for what it is – just another medical condition.

A Startling Fact About How To Support A Spouse with Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar never goes away, and it's never cured, only treated. There is no happy ending. If you can't live by the old saying, "It's the journey, not the destination," then I advise you not to take this trip with someone you care about who's been diagnosed with a bipolar mood disorder.

Your Spouse Is Bipolar - Now What?
Your spouse has just been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, so what's next for both of you? Here's a short check list of do's and don'ts to put things into perspective, to let you see that you do not have to face this alone and that there is hope.

Trouble In Mood City - the Bipolar Brain
This article actually is an appeal to a Medicare Part D provider who thought I should have to pay double the co-payment on a medication I had been taking for years because of it's high expense. (It's somewhere around $555.00 for a month's supply.) But I knew trying other medications would be at best an exercise in futility.

Why Do You Stay in Your Bipolar Relationship?
Bipolar disorder runs roughshod over relationships. The divorce rate is three times higher in these marriages than in the general population. The pressure on us from friends, family and professionals is unrelenting. Those who ask, "Why do you stay in your relationship?" are not supportive.

Ways To Cope With Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, has a very serious effect on the sufferer's life. It also effects those closest to the patients in a detrimental way and getting treatment as soon as possible is paramount. Sufferers need the attention of physicians, psychiatrists…

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that effects over 2 millions American adults every single year. Because it is a recurrent illness it can be very difficult to treat; patients may think they are feeling better and stop the treatment but this will only see the problems recurring. It…

Bipolar Disorders in Children
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, was once believed to affect adults only. But researchers have found that children as young as seven years old can have this disorder. Bipolar disorder is a treatable neurobiological brain illness, characterized by severe fluctuations in mood and activity levels.

Does Your Teen and Child Syptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Everyone has their ups and downs, but you will also discover that there are many emotions that you are going to have; euphoria, sadness, anger, frustrations, and more. You will also find that the essential part of the disorder is where you are going to feel the mood swings and loss of control. Your feelings and mental health will just seem to be going around in circles.

Symptoms of Bipolar in Children
Early prevention and treatment for children with bipolar will increase the chances of getting better and living a normal life. Properly treating bipolar children will help reduce any adverse effects not only in the life of the children with bipolar but in their families lives as well.