Get Started with Your Workplace Mental Health Program
Building a Thriving, Supportive Workplace for Ohio’s Workforce
In Ohio, more than two million adults manage a diagnosable mental health condition, yet less than one-third of affected adults and only one-half of children receive treatment. As an employer, you have the power to bridge this gap. A mentally healthy workforce is not just a moral imperative—it is a business one. Research shows that mentally healthy employees have fewer absences, incur lower medical costs, and are more productive.
Step 1: Build the Foundation
The most effective programs start with a clear commitment from leadership.
- Establish Your Vision: Create a written policy that treats mental health with the same priority as physical health.
- Form a Wellness Committee: Secure employee input early by forming a committee to help design and implement the program.
- Assess Your Needs: Use surveys to measure staff wellness and identify common workplace stressors.
Step 2: Implement the "4 A's" Strategy
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) recommends focusing on four pillars to "bring your A-game" to workplace mental health:
- Awareness: Host educational workshops and use internal communications to reduce the stigma of mental illness and substance use disorders.
- Accommodations: Provide flexible work schedules, designated quiet spaces for mindfulness, or allow administrative leave for treatment and recovery.
- Assistance: Offer and promote an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that includes support for family and parenting issues.
- Access: Ensure your health insurance plan provides equal coverage for mental and physical health, as required by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).
Step 3: Support Parents and Caregivers
Many of your employees are balancing professional duties while caring for children with mental health challenges. Supporting them improves retention and morale.
- Provide Flexibility: Allow for "no-questions-asked" mental health days or flexible hours to attend a child’s therapy appointments.
- Curate Specialized Resources: Share information about OhioRISE, Ohio’s specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioral needs, and Red Treehouse, a statewide directory for family supports.
- Foster Community: Establish Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) where parents can share lived experiences and build peer support networks.
Step 4: Train Your Managers
Managers are your "first responders". Equip them with the tools to:
- Recognize Signs: Identify symptoms of burnout, withdrawal, or unusual irritability in their team members.
- Lead Supportive Conversations: Use "I statements" and active listening to check in with employees without overstepping legal boundaries.
- Normalize Help-Seeking: Ensure managers are comfortable sharing available company and community benefits.
Legal Compliance & Protection
It is essential to understand the laws that protect your employees. Please consult your attorneys for legal advice:
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Requires providing reasonable accommodations for qualified employees with disabilities, including mental health conditions.
- FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act): Provides job-protected leave for an employee's own serious health condition or to care for a family member with one.
- Mental Health Parity: Ohio employers are responsible for ensuring their health plans treat mental health benefits in the same manner as medical/surgical benefits.
Ohio-Specific Resources & Contacts
- Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) - Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office (MHIA): Call 855-GET-MHIA (855-438-6442) or visit insurance.ohio.gov/getmhia for help navigating insurance benefits.
- Ohio CareLine: A 24/7 confidential emotional support line at 1-800-720-9616.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7, confidential support.
- Project Dawn: Contact your local branch for Naloxone training and kits.
- RecoveryOhio: Visit recoveryohio.gov for resources on addiction and mental health.