‘As important as physical health’: New initiative promotes mental health and wellness in the workplace

Alexandria, VA — In response to a recent survey that found more than 2 out of 5 U.S. workers feel emotionally drained, burned out or exhausted because of their job, the Society for Human Resource Management Foundation, One Mind at Work and Psych Hub have teamed up to launch the Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace initiative.

The survey, conducted in April by SHRM, also revealed that nearly 25% of workers feel depressed, down or hopeless, yet more than a third reported having done nothing to cope with these feelings.

The initiative is aimed at promoting “a culture of acceptance around returning to the workplace and the rising mental health issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” a July 15 press release states. Resources are available to employers, HR professionals, managers and workers, and include a workplace wellness resource center as well as training courses for HR professionals “on adequately addressing mental health issues in the modern workplace.”

“In these critical times, employers and mental health leaders must work together to transform approaches to mental health and addiction and effectively promote mental health as important as physical health,” Garen Staglin, co-founder of One Mind at Work and chair of One Mind, said in the release.

Added Marjorie Morrison, CEO and co-founder of Psych Hub: “We’ve compiled a number of resources and tools to address some of the most common mental health and workplace wellness issues in an evidence-based way. Employers have a responsibility to care for their workers, whether they share a physical office or work remotely. The initiative gives employers access to trustworthy resources to ensure that we’re doing our part to mitigate mental health issues and support well-being.”

The initiative is driven by a strategic alliance formed by each organization’s respective practice areas: the SHRM Foundation on workplace social change, One Mind at Work as a leader on best practices and tools for brain health in the workplace, and Psych Hub on multimedia learning solutions to mental health and addiction.