The nation’s oldest nonprofit organization focused on advocacy and improved treatment for individuals with psychological disorders, Mental Health America, has just released its 2024 Workplace Mental Health Report. It starts by giving an overview of MHA’s national certification for employers committed to supporting a mentally healthy workforce, the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health.

Interestingly, the “Bell” referred to in the name of the certification is an actual bell cast in 1953 at the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore. The organization, now known as Mental Health America, issued a call to asylums all over the country to send them the chains and manacles, formerly used to bind their inmates. They took these “inhumane bindings,” melted them down, and used them to make the “Bell of Hope,” which has this inscription, “Cast from shackles which bound them, this bell shall ring out hope for the mentally ill and victory over mental illness.”

Using surveys of the companies that earn the Bell Seal, the report highlights the best practices certified companies use to support the mental health of their employees. Statistics from the EEOC show that, through the years, anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD have steadily risen as bases of discrimination in the workplace.  Employers should be looking for ways to positively impact the mental health of their staff. The report recommends five practices which will help:

1. Leaders and Peers Sharing their Lived Experiences

When leaders within organizations share their stories and candidly discuss their personal experiences with mental health issues, it contributes to fostering dialogue in the workplace. It empowers others to share their own narratives and motivates employees to seek assistance when necessary.

2. Peer Connection and Support

Promoting peer connections and support helps create a culture of trust. It presents opportunities for employees to engage socially with their colleagues, providing a valuable resource for those seeking assistance with mental health issues.

3. Affordable and Easy Access to Mental Health Care

It is in the best interest of employers to ensure access to high-quality mental health services. It has a significant influence on employee well-being and productivity.

4. Support for Disability Disclosure and Recovery

Significant stigma still exists around mental health issues. Encouraging disclosure and recovery is a necessary first step to guarantee that employees are provided with the necessary procedures, accommodations, benefits, and support to facilitate a seamless and healthy transition during their leave and return to work.

5. Support for Workers’ Families

Employers can enhance their support for employees' families by offering extended paid parental leave, introducing new benefits for family-building, and revising paid leave policies for caregivers and those experiencing bereavement.

If you’re interested, please look at the MHA 2024 Workplace Mental Health Report for more information about their certification program and a detailed breakdown of the best practices for employers.

 

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