Nearly 1 in 5 Americans may experience some form of mental illness each year. For many of these individuals (and many without mental health conditions as well), work is key to their health, contributing to a sense of purpose and well-being.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Mental Health Resources
Fostering Mental Health at Work
Learn how to foster a mental health-friendly work culture from this Department of Labor resource. Get dozens of links, divided by audience: employers, individuals, policymakers, and youth. The DOL Mental Health Awareness Month blog features additional information.
Campaign for Disability Employment
The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy has funded a new public education Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE). Centered on a video PSA titled “Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?”, this campaign emphasizes that everyone within an organization has a role to play in promoting workplace wellbeing and supporting workers with mental health conditions.
Check out the campaign’s other materials, which include a “Perspectives on Workplace Wellbeing” documentary-style video; poster and Workplace Guide; and a PSA Outreach Toolkit with ready-to-publish news briefs, sample social media posts, promotional graphics and more.
Fostering a Mental Health-Friendly Environment
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans may experience some form of mental illness each year. For many of these individuals (and many without mental health conditions as well), work is key to their health, contributing to a sense of purpose and well-being. Learn more about how to foster a mental health-friendly work culture.
Mental Health Toolkit
Since one in five American adults will experience a mental health diagnosis in any given year, many employers are beginning to consider strategies they can use to address these challenges. This toolkit provides a wealth of information and strategies to help support employee mental health.
Mental Health Awareness Month
This year’s National Alliance on Mental Health awareness campaign theme is “Together for Mental Health.” NAMI’s website shares tools and resources to help spread the word. Explore this Mental Health awareness campaign site featuring graphics, social tags, an awareness event guide, and avenues for advocacy.
Back to Basics Awareness Campaign
Since 1949, Mental Health America has observed Mental Health Month by raising awareness for millions of people through the media, local events, and screenings. They encourage organizations to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. They have created a toolkit featuring materials for conducting mental health awareness activities.
Protecting Youth Mental Health
The Surgeon General recently released an advisory report, "Protecting Young People's Mental Health" in which the devastating impacts of the pandemic and the alarming increases in mental health needs of young people are outlined.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Resources Available to You
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, the DHS has provided links to many support resources available to the public. The Department of Homeland Security site provides strategies to deal with life’s challenges, and provides information about recovery.
Fact Sheet & Mental Health Parity
The Department of Health and Human Services website provides facts about current mental health advocacy efforts and information about efforts toward mental health parity.
On-Demand Training
Workplace Mental Health After COVID-19
As we head into a new phase of the pandemic, the focus is shifting from the physical aspects to the mental health repercussions of COVID-19. VR counselors and employers need to be able to help employees cope with the aftereffects. Employees are dealing with the stress and trauma of COVID and the reality of merging back into the office or working remotely permanently.
Mental Health and American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation: Dual Diagnosis and De-Escalation
The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) Programs throughout the United States are located in very rural areas on government lands known as reservations. AIVRS programs are facing unprecedented numbers of mental health caseloads.
Mental Health Outreach Guide: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
According to Mental Health America, Asian Americans are the least likely of any group to seek mental health service. Understanding why and becoming familiar with the growing resources available to support the mental health of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders enables vocational rehabilitation professionals to provide needed supports and remove or reduce barriers to employment.
Return to Work After COVID-19
Join JAN’s Cognitive/Neurological Team consultants Melanie Whetzel and James Potts for a discussion about returning to work during the pandemic. We will consider the pressing issues of anxiety, fear, and safety, telework and other accommodations, the cognitive side effects of recovering from COVID-19, and more. This recording captured a live question-and-answer session including examples to prompt thinking about the topics and generate questions.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Accommodations
May is National Mental Health Month. Join consultants Melanie and James as they discuss challenging accommodation scenarios in the workplace when employees with mental health conditions need assistance. Discover creative and effective modifications employers can provide to help maintain productive employees with diverse needs.
Supporting Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing: The Importance of an Individualized Approach
Date & Place: Wednesday, May 18, 2022 | 1:00 PM Central | Online
Cost: Free to attend. Registration is required.
Most people can’t afford to stop working because of a mental health issue. In fact, employment can actually help people with mental health conditions to recover. It’s important to foster a supportive workplace. Research tells us that mentally supported employees are more productive, have fewer absences, stay at their jobs longer, and report higher job satisfaction overall. Supporting Employee Mental Health Webinar.