Teresa Moore
August 18, 2013
The Effects of Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace
Introduction
“According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in four American adults have a diagnosable mental disorder” (Williams, 2012). According to Grove (2009), in the working population one out of every six people will be affected. One could surmise that each of us most likely knows a friend, loved one or co-worker who is diagnosed with mental illness. For many of us, we personally may be dealing with a mental illness. It is important for us to recognize that mental illness exists in the workplace; this is the first step towards effectively dealing with it (Grove, 2009).
For some time now organizations have placed a great deal of focus on the physical health of their employees while neglecting the need to be as equally concerned regarding their overall mental health and well being. We have the ability to affect outcomes, by recognizing that the promotion of mental health and wellness is both the responsibility of the employer and the employee in the workplace (Walsh, 2011).
This paper addresses, the effects mental health and wellness can have in the workplace, the impact that this could potentially have on an organization, and some methods that we can utilize to influence a healthy work environment.
Acknowledging Mental Health in the Workplace
Leaders in an organization acknowledge their yearly goals and top initiatives, finances and what it takes to meet metrics, the mission and that it takes a team of people to be successful. Do they acknowledge that mental health exists in their workplace? “The stigma associated with mental illness is still very prevalent especially in the workplace as many employer’s do not understand mental illness and may choose to ignore it rather than become more informed” (Walsh, 2011, p. 35).
“Everyone will at some point interact with an employee or colleague who is...