Mental Health

I meant to post this during Mental Health Week (Oct 7-13), but I obviously missed the window.  This was from an American Airlines magazine (Hemispheres) that I read a few weeks ago. 

“Many physical conditions are a result of mental issues, for instance, sleeping too much or too little and having low energy.”

Obviously, this is a sensititive issue to discuss at work.  No one wants to be seen as having problems.  But there are lots of treatments and many conditions such as depression and ADD/ADHD can be treated.  The article goes on to mention several other things:

• An online calculator for estimating cost and productivity savings by addressing these conditions
• A starter action plan for your work environment

President Bush said “Americans must understand and send this message:  Mental disability is not a scandal – it is an illness.  And like physical illness, it is treatable, especially when the treatment comes early.”

• 1 in 5 adults will experience a diagnosable mental illness in any given year (and 15% of those will experience a co-occurring substance use disorder)
• Among those of working age, about 25% have a mental illness and/or substance abuse
• The cost to employers is $80-$100B/year
• More workers are absent from work because of stress and anxiety than because of physical illness or injury
• Less than 1/3 of adults with a diagnosable mental disorder receive treatment in any given year

Mental illnesses include – depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, sleep disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and personality disorders.

If you’re interested in the diseases or solutions for addressing them, there are lots of resources online.  Individuals can take tests.  Companies can educate employees.  Many companies off EAP (Employee Assistance Plans) from companies like Magellan to help with these issues in a confidential, third-party setting. 

Some other links:

• Newsweek on depression
• Online depression screening from an EAP
• Adult ADD resources

Not my typical topic, but I think these are important issues in terms of how companies spend their resources to address patients.