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Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace

 

Written by Angela Corbett, LCSW, CAP

In recent years, the conversation surrounding mental health has gained significant momentum, and rightfully so. As awareness grows, it’s becoming increasingly clear that mental well-being is just as important as physical health, especially in the workplace. Organizations that prioritize mental health not only benefit their employees but also experience improved productivity, higher morale, and decreased turnover rates. In this blog post, we’ll explore why supporting mental health in the workplace is crucial and provide actionable strategies for creating a supportive work environment.

The Importance of Mental Health Support in the Workplace

Mental health issues such as chronic stress, anxiety, and depression are common among employees, yet many employers don’t know how to address concerns regarding their employee’s mental health. Ignoring these issues can lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and poor overall performance. Stressed and overwhelmed employees are less likely to be productive and engaged in their work. 

Additionally, employees are more likely to stay with organizations that prioritize their well-being. Now, more than ever, job seekers actively seek out employers who offer supportive work environments. By investing in mental health initiatives, organizations can attract and retain top talent.

Strategies for Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace:

Here are some strategies that you can implement within your workplace! 

  1. Encourage open dialogue about mental health within your organization. By destigmatizing discussions around mental health, we can create a safe space for individuals to share their feelings, experiences, and struggles without fear of judgment, and build a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
  2. Recognize that each employee has unique needs and challenges. Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, can help employees better manage their mental health by reducing stress related to commuting or balancing work and personal responsibilities.
  3. Encourage employees to prioritize self-care and set boundaries between work and personal life. Let it be known that sending work-related emails and answering calls outside of their working hours is not necessary. Urge employees to use their vacation time to recharge.
  4. Foster a culture where leaders prioritize their own mental health and encourage others to do the same. Managers should model appropriate work-life boundaries, take their own vacations, and actively manage their stress levels. 
  5. Lead with empathy and understanding. It’s not enough to talk the talk! As leaders we also need to walk the walk by showing up for and supporting our employees when they face mental health challenges. We can do this by providing guidance and resources to an employee who is struggling, using nonjudgmental language when talking about mental health, and treating mental health concerns with the same kindness and accommodation that we would treat someone experiencing a physical illness or condition. 

Supporting mental health in the workplace is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also essential for the success and sustainability of any organization. By prioritizing mental well-being, employers can create a positive work environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Let’s commit to fostering a culture of mental health awareness and support in our workplaces, because when we take care of our employees’ mental health, everyone benefits.



Navigating Mental Health: Insights from an Intake Manager

Mental health issues affect individuals from all walks of life, and seeking help can be a crucial first step towards healing and growth. As the Intake Manager at TrueCandor Behavioral Health, I have had the privilege of assisting countless individuals on their journey towards bettering their mental health. In this blog post, I will provide insights and perspectives from the unique role of an intake manager, shedding light on what it takes to seek help, the intake process, and the support available to those in need.

Seeking help often involves a degree of self-awareness. And self-awareness requires that someone have the ability to recognize and acknowledge their mental health concerns, and prioritize their mental health as an essential part of their overall well-being. Because of the many times I have witnessed the transformative power of individuals finally receiving the support they need, I will always encourage those I come in contact with in my role to embrace caring for their mental health in the same way they care for their physical health!

Many people reaching out for help with our office are often dealing with emotional distress. As the Intake Manager and first point of contact, I strive to respond in a timely manner while offering a safe and supportive space where clients can express their concerns and fears. The intake process includes collecting essential and sometimes personal information regarding their needs, as well as administrative information about their age, insurance policy, appointment availability, and whether they want in-person or virtual sessions. Asking these relevant questions allows me to match them with the appropriate mental health clinician within our practice. My goal is to always convey support and empathy throughout the intake process, and this collaborative effort ensures that clients receive tailored care based on their specific needs and preferences.

One of the most common barriers new clients encounter when seeking help involves finances. Cost often poses a significant barrier to mental health care, and it is because of this that I inform clients upfront of the insurances our practice accepts, and subsequently direct them to our billing department to verify their financial responsibility prior to scheduling. This allows clients the opportunity to make an informed decision on whether or not the cost is within their budget, and alleviates the stress of them later finding out they cannot financially afford their care. 

At TrueCandor, we are well aware of the impact of language and cultural factors on mental health treatment, therefore I make sure to place clients with clinicians that fit their cultural, community and language needs whenever possible. We have multiple bilingual staff to ensure clients whose primary language is not English are equally taken care of. Additionally, we are equipped with an extensive network of resources and can provide information and referrals for support groups, educational materials, and other local community providers if needed. Our goal is to always ensure that our clients get their needs met, even if we aren’t the ones meeting them!

In my role as Intake Manager, I have witnessed the transformative power of seeking help and the positive impact of receiving mental health treatment. By promoting understanding, encouraging open conversations, and providing resources, Intake Managers and Coordinators like myself play a vital part in helping and guiding people towards the assistance they need. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please know that there is help available! Reach out, let your voice be heard, and take the first step on your path to well-being. 

Remember, seeking help is a courageous step towards a brighter future, and we here at TrueCandor Behavioral Health can’t wait to be a part of it! 

Let’s Talk About Self-Diagnosis

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram and come across posts discussing mental health? Have you ever thought, ‘huh, that really applies to me, I guess I have ADHD, autism’—or insert any other mental health diagnosis here. I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this at one point or another in our lives, but this practice can lead us into tricky, and sometimes dangerous, territory.

Self-Diagnosing

First off, let’s discuss what it means to self-diagnose. To simplify, it’s when we believe we have a mental health condition without having received confirmation from or consulting a mental health professional. Often, this involves watching videos of individuals discussing their own experiences and subsequently taking online quizzes that aren’t official assessments, ones that have been researched and studied. You know the ones I’m talking about—the forms you usually fill out when completing intake paperwork at your doctor’s office. Does the PHQ-9 ring any bells? Taking this a step further, this habit extends to physical health as well. How many of us have searched our symptoms on Google or WebMD and jumped to the conclusion that we are on the brink of death or have cancer? Certainly, no one needs that kind of stress in their life, especially when it’s likely untrue!

 

The Concerns – Education

So, why is self-diagnosing such a big deal? Probably the reason why you are reading this article in the first place, no? In simple terms: because this is a job for the professionals. I can hear you now: ‘Really, that’s your brilliant answer?’ Yes, it sounds straightforward, but mental health conditions are complex and require specialized knowledge, training, and experience to be understood properly. Personally, I hold an MSW (Master’s in Social Work) and a state license. My licensure required two years of supervised therapy under a qualified therapist after completing my master’s program, alongside a few courses, and passing the state exam. Some of our other therapists hold degrees in fields such as marriage & family therapy, with similar post-masters requirements. Additionally, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor, requiring completion of medical school after earning a Bachelor’s degree, followed by residency and a state exam.

 

Misinformation 

An eye-opening study recently conducted analyzed the accuracy of mental health information presented in social media videos. The results? A staggering 83.7% of these videos were found to be misleading, based on individual experiences rather than verified or professional sources. In regards to ADHD, the content in 100% of the videos was deemed misleading. Furthermore, only 9% of the individuals presenting information in the videos had the relevant qualifications to discuss mental health diagnoses. These are frightening statistics, to say the least!

 

Comorbidity 

Accuracy is not the only issue when it comes to self-diagnosing; it also leads us into the realm of comorbidity. Comorbidity refers to the coexistence of two or more diseases, disorders, or conditions in an individual, complicating the prognosis or treatment of the patient. I can speak from personal experience: my diagnosis of anxiety and my high-stress levels exacerbate my chronic illness, while my chronic illness, in turn, causes me significant stress and anxiety. Professionals have told me, ‘If we just address the anxiety, your chronic illness symptoms would likely improve.’ I’ve also heard, ‘If we manage your physical symptoms, your anxiety and stress would probably diminish.’

 

When considering mental health specifically, numerous symptoms can mimic or imitate each other, including those of physical medical conditions. Sometimes therapists need to refer patients to medical doctors to rule out physical conditions as factors in their mental health symptoms. Is your visual disturbance due to a mental health issue or a neurological condition? Do you have ADHD or depression? Bipolar Disorder or a personality disorder? It’s kind of like the age-old question: ‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’ Sometimes the answer isn’t straightforward. Sometimes two or more conditions can coexist, such as ADHD and depression, OR ADHD, depression, AND another condition entirely. 

 

The Benefits-Getting Access to Care

That said, self-diagnosing isn’t entirely negative. Are there benefits? Absolutely. A significant portion of our population, particularly minorities and people of color, lack access to adequate mental health care. In 2015, among adults with any mental illness, 48% of white individuals received mental health services, compared to 31% of black and Hispanic individuals, and 22% of Asians. Social media can offer these populations insight into what they might be experiencing and encourage them to seek professional help, even if it’s from their PCP (primary care provider).

 

Reduction of Stigma

Additionally, social media and the trend of self-diagnosing have played roles in normalizing mental health discussions and reducing stigma. More than half of individuals with mental health issues don’t seek help, often delaying or avoiding treatment due to fear of judgment or job loss. Social media creates a community where individuals can connect through comments, making mental health discussions seem less daunting and more relatable. Sometimes, it’s easier to talk about depression if you know your favorite online personality has opened up about their struggles.

 

Your Therapist

On another note, therapists can sometimes overlook things; we are all human, after all. Your therapist might not be familiar with a specific diagnosis, and your self-diagnosing could open their eyes to a new perspective, encouraging further learning and better care for you and future clients. It might also lead you to seek out a new therapist who specializes in the area you’re interested in, following a discussion with your current provider..

 

A robust diagnosis is a collaborative effort, integrating your experiences with your provider’s knowledge. Finding a trustworthy provider, one who validates you and encourages open communication, can transform the diagnostic process into a conversation rather than a daunting one-on-one meeting

References

 

American Psychiatric Organization. (2020, August). Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

 

comorbidity – Quick search results | Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=comorbidity&tl=true

 

Florida Board of Clinical Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors. (n.d.). Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling » Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Licensing, renewals & information. https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/licensed-clinical-social-worker/

 

Harris, M. (2021, June). How social media is changing the way we think about mental illness. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/June-2021/How-Social-Media-Is-Changing-the-Way-We-Think-About-Mental-Illness

 

Jaramillo, J. (2023, April). Down The Rabbit Hole of Self-Diagnosis in Mental Health. LYNX LIFE LIBRARY. https://www.ucdenver.edu/student/stories/library/healthy-happy-life/down-the-rabbit-hole-of-self-diagnosis-in-mental-health#:~:text=Mental%20health%20conditions%20are%20complex,of%20the%20mental%20health%20experience.

 

Mimic – Quick search results | Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=Mimic&tl=true

 

PlushCare Content Team. (2022, November). How Accurate is Mental Health Advice on TikTok? https://plushcare.com/blog/tiktok-mental-health/

 

Statistics about disparities in mental health care – Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (2021, October 11). Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/disparities-mental-health-care/#:~:text=People%20from%20racial%20and%20ethnic,%2C%20and%2022%25%20of%20Asians.

 

Justine Alemany