Recent events, from pandemics to climate change to war, affect how people think and feel. A steady stream of negative news can be detrimental to health. In fact, the stress of managing these events is affecting people’s mental health. One study of human resources professionals found that 70% of 18- to 34-year-olds are just trying to make it through the week. And individuals with mental illness and physical conditions may have a more severe reaction to these events because on so-called “normal” days, they may be at capacity managing their illness along with daily responsibilities and deadline-oriented tasks. 

Absence management professionals are seeing this play out with an increase in accommodation requests. The team at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics supports leave and accommodation requests for direct patient care and business operations staff. Join us for this employer showcase highlighting practical solutions identified in employee cases through statistics related to mental illness, the challenges identified in those cases, and recommendations for addressing similar challenges successfully in your own organization. Tools and practical tips for managing your own well-being while also supporting others will be shared. Don’t miss this session to hear how University of Iowa’s mental health program has decreased the stigma of mental illness and promoted a sense of belonging, resulting in its employees seeking support from others when needed, being kind to themselves and one another, and giving themselves and each other grace. 

Speaker 
Aarin Harper, Leave and Disability Administrator, University of Iowa Health Care 

Measuring and benchmarking mental health and well-being are undeniably complicated. The dilemma arises: Should you screen for mental health conditions, gauge work engagement and satisfaction, or monitor absenteeism and disability statistics? And how does an organization factor in the impact of team dynamics and leadership influence on well-being and performance? Despite the intricacies, it’s a concerning oversight when organizations sidestep these vital metrics and benchmarks. Join this session to gain actionable insights to pave the way for your program’s continuous improvement efforts. 

Fortunately, a wealth of resources exists to guide organizations in crafting benchmarking strategies and nurturing a culture of continuous improvement around mental health. The secret is often in finding a creative approach to mental well-being, bringing together multidisciplinary areas of an organization to identify ways of tracking existing data — and potentially new collaborators — for more comprehensive strategies. 

Speaker 
Nancy Spangler, PhD, President, Spangler Associates

An organization’s mental health program thrives when employees recognize its value and actively engage with the provided resources. The cornerstone of such a program is a robust communication strategy. Ensuring that employees are fully aware of the significance of the benefits and the means to access them is essential. Clear and effective communication remains the linchpin of your program’s success, whether you’re launching a new initiative, integrating innovative technology, or enhancing existing elements. 

This session will cover various aspects of communicating plan value and offerings — from the initial launch of the program (introducing a new mental health initiative, implementing new technology or vendor partnerships, or modifying program components) to maintaining routine communication and addressing communication needs when employees require mental health services. Topics will include the development of a well-rounded communication strategy and plan, key components of effective communication, best practices, and thoughtful considerations regarding the timing and delivery methods.

  
Speaker 
Megan Delp, LMFT, Director, Workplace Mental Health, Office of Innovation, National Alliance on Mental Illness 

Positively impacting employee mental health and well-being improves productivity and performance, attracts and retains top performers, lowers overall healthcare costs, and creates a safe and inclusive work culture. The opportunity to improve workplace mental health exists at the organizational and employee levels. Securing leadership support is the first step to any successful mental health initiative. With leadership on board, a lot of other barriers fall away. This session will outline practical steps to communicate why a mentally healthy culture is crucial, evaluate your employees’ wants and needs, and determine what a successful program will look like. Understanding the change you want to see and how you can measure that change will help you build out the initiative for better success.

Speakers
Shayla Gerity, Program Manager, Center for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Association Foundation
Emma Jellen, Associate Director, Center for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Association Foundation

This session will present proven strategies that contribute to a mentally healthy workplace by fostering a supportive workplace culture. Strategies include campaigns that are designed to build awareness about the prevalence of mental illness and reduce the stigma associated with it, and that teach co-workers and supervisors how to recognize the signs of distress and connect workers with support. An overview of common accommodations, the use of employee assistance programs, and peer supports will be discussed.

Speaker
Susanne M. Bruyère, PhD, CRC, Director, K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, Cornell University

A multifaceted and holistic approach to support is the linchpin of any workplace mental health initiative. Learn from one employer’s journey to provide just that. In this session, the program manager at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will present the mental health programs and initiatives currently in place at the organization. You’ll explore the inspiration behind PG&E’s pioneering shift toward a proactive mental health stance and see how this philosophy is deeply embedded in the organization’s corporate culture today. You’ll also get a glimpse into the next phases of the program and where PG&E is headed.

Speaker
Heather Holladay, MS, Integrated Health Manager, Pacific Gas and Electric Company