It’s not a problem if you have prepared for it.

But you haven’t, because you don’t think it’s ‘your’ problem.

Let’s take another look.

Statistics and research are not necessary to tell us depression, stress, and anxiety are on a rise. Why? Because I feel it. You feel it. Your Team feels it.

  • The Account Executive you walked by and said “Hello” to this morning replied, “Good Morning”, though she could barely muster up a smile because her recent divorce has put her in a period of depression and it’s all she can think about.
  • You said, “Great Job” to the Team Leader who just led your Monday sale’s meeting, unaware that an hour ago he was in the bathroom having a panic attack. He’s been under a lot of stress lately with his manager’s high expectations and newborn baby at home.

How does the ‘background noise’ affect your business?

A lot. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • Americans suffering from the impacts of mental health will miss an average of 4.8 workdays and will incur 11.5 days of reduced productivity.
  • Each year, depression is estimated to cause 200 million lost workdays, costing employers between $17 and $44 billion. 

How does your mental health problem affect your culture or employee experience?

Well, it causes a company-wide epidemic.

Not providing a support system for mental health is showing up in your team meetings, your employee interactions, your company outings, YOUR RESULTS. The virus touches every single thing in your company. 

EXAMPLE:

JOHN is your Software Engineer. He has the potential to be the best Software Engineer you have ever employed because of his dedication & talent. Because of some childhood events and past relationships, JOHN often has feelings of depression and lacks confidence.

“It’s not my problem.”

But what if you made it your problem? Companies like Barclay and Adobe did.

Next up- Ways to implement a Mental Health Strategy within your Employee Benefits Program.