Welcome to the Ohio Chamber's
Workplace Mental Health Resource
Mental health in the workplace is no longer a peripheral concern—it's a core business imperative that directly impacts your bottom line. With the financial support of Alkermes, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Cigna Healthcare, and The Ohio State University, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation has developed this toolkit to provide Ohio employers of all sizes with evidence-based strategies, practical implementation guides, and Ohio-specific resources to support employee mental well-being.
Whether you're a small business owner taking your first steps toward creating a supportive workplace, or a large organization looking to enhance existing programs, this toolkit provides a roadmap tailored to Ohio's unique workforce challenges and opportunities.
Designed for Ohio Employers of Every Size
Small Businesses
(1-50 employees)
- Low-cost, high-impact strategies
- Leveraging free Ohio resources
- Simple implementation guides
Mid-Size Companies
(51-500 employees)
- Scalable program templates
- Manager training frameworks
- Benefits optimization guidance
Large Enterprises
(500+ employees)
- Comprehensive strategy development
- ROI measurement frameworks
- Multi-location implementation
Quantifying the Return: Investing in Mental Health Pays
Well-designed mental health programs generate measurable returns by reducing healthcare costs, boosting productivity, and improving retention.
Primary ROI Range:
Every $1 invested returns $1.62 to $5+
Conservative Estimate
- $1.62 return per $1 invested
- Source: Deloitte research
- Based on established programs
Mental Illness Treatment
- $4.00 return per $1 spent
- Driven by health and productivity improvements
Integrated EAPs
- $5.39 return per $1 invested
- Modern, deeply integrated programs
Ohio Success Stories
Organization: Major state university and healthcare system
Results:
- $3.65 ROI per dollar spent on comprehensive wellness program
- Negative healthcare spending trend for 3 consecutive years (bucking national trends)
- STAR Program Success: 80-83% of clinicians receiving peer support after trauma returned to complete shifts (prevented lost productivity)
Key Takeaway: Even large, complex organizations can achieve substantial returns with comprehensive approaches.
Ohio Success Stories
Organization: State university
Results:
- $4,861 reduction in claims per employee with depression per year
- $1+ million savings in first 12 months alone
- Notable increase in EAP utilization
- Achieved through Workplace Mental Health and Wellness Initiative
Key Takeaway: Targeted interventions for specific conditions (like depression) can yield rapid, measurable savings.
Ohio Success Stories
Program: Workplace Wellness Grant Program (WWGP)
Opportunity for Ohio Employers:
- State-funded grants to implement wellness initiatives
- De-risks initial investment
- Built-in evaluation framework requiring annual case studies on:
- Workplace safety impact
- Claims frequency
- Program effectiveness
Key Takeaway: Ohio businesses have unique access to state resources that reduce implementation risk.