• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Barbara Weltman

Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc.

Whitepaper download

Subscribe and download our eBook, "150+ Tax Deductions for Small Business A to Z."

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Get the:

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Big Ideas For Your Business
    • Idea Of The Day ®
    • SMB Legal
    • SMB Taxes
    • SMB Financial
    • Small Business
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Services
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Radio Shows/Podcasts
  • Be a Guest Blogger

Mental Health Issues in the Workplace

May 14, 2019 / By Barbara Weltman

Mental Health Issues in the WorkplaceMay is Mental Health Month and a good time to think about mental health issues in the workplace. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety cost an estimated $1 trillion per year in lost productivity worldwide. Employers may be well aware of the need to create a safe workplace by employing safety measures (e.g., using safety equipment such as hardhats for construction workers and disposable nitrile gloves for health care workers). But the need for policies and practices with respect to the mental health of employees may not be properly addressed. Here are some issues to consider.

What are the workplace risks to mental health?

Happify Health found that in 2018 39% of young employees (ages 18 to 24) had depression, and that this was significantly higher than in 2014. But depression was reported in all age groups. It’s a difficult conversation when it comes to mental health. How much can or should employers do to minimize risks and support good mental health? WHO lists the following as key risks to mental health:

  • Inadequate health and safety policies;
  • Poor communication and management practices;
  • Limited participation in decision-making or low control over one’s area of work;
  • Low levels of support for employees;
  • Inflexible working hours; and
  • Unclear tasks or organizational objectives.

Other stresses to mental health include bullying and psychological harassment (“mobbing”).

What are the strategies for addressing mental health issues?

Obviously the first step in crafting policies for your company is to recognize that there’s a need for being proactive to protect and promote mental health. Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, a site that builds awareness and promotes mental health, offers a variety of suggestions on how to do this. For example, consider offering healthy break activities that support calming, energizing, or relaxing.

Here are some other suggestions:

  • Be sure that employees understand how company health insurance can be used for those experiencing mental health issues (e.g., depression).
  • Make sure employees experiencing mental health issues take their sick or personal days or other time off as needed.
  • Consider posting a list of referrals for mental health resources in the community (e.g., suicide prevention lifelines, domestic abuse resources, support groups).
  • Offer a mental health first aid course, which informs employees of how to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

Can you terminate a worker with mental illness?

According to the EEOC, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a worker because of mental health condition. What’s more, an employer may have to make a reasonable accommodation to help an employee perform and retain the job or be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

When must mental health issues be reported to OSHA?

Employers (with a small employer exception) are required to report work-related injuries or illnesses to the federal government (there may be state-mandated reporting too). According to OSHA, “mental illness will not be considered work-related unless the employee voluntarily provides the employer with an opinion from a physician or other licensed health care professional with appropriate training and experience (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, etc.) stating that the employee has a mental illness that is work-related.”

Final thought

If you want to learn more, check out the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health. Here you’ll find publications, surveys, and employer case examples illustrating successful employer practices.

Tags mental health issues mental illness workplace workplace risks to mental health

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • General Business (506)
  • Guest Blog (113)
  • Homepage (24)
  • Small Business (1,004)
  • SMB Financial (329)
  • SMB Legal (67)
  • SMB Taxes (326)

Barbara’s Recent Posts

  • What the U.S. Supreme Court Told Small Businesses in This Term: Part 1 July 3, 2025
  • Mid-Year Business Planning for 2025 July 1, 2025
  • 10 Ideas for Coping with Cash Flow Challenges June 26, 2025
  • 5 Insurance Traps to Avoid June 24, 2025
  • Creating a Feng Shui Office Layout for Your Business June 20, 2025
  • Scaling Your Business by Optimizing Social Media Marketing June 19, 2025
  • The Timeless Value of Business Cards in a Digital World June 18, 2025
  • What Does the Latest IRS Data Book Tell Us? June 17, 2025
  • Business Advice from Famous Dads June 12, 2025
  • How Important Is Higher Education for Small Business Owners June 11, 2025
  • Business Planning in a Period of Uncertainty June 10, 2025
  • 9 Smart Financial Decisions for Business Owners in Retirement June 6, 2025
Awarded Top 100 Small Business Blog medal (link will open in a new window or tab)
Marquis Who's Who 2023 Badge
Top Small Business Blogs (Link will open in a new window or tab.)
8 Financial blogs small business Owners Need to Read. Invoice home.  (link will open in a new window or tab)
Best Small Business Blog, Expertido.org
Top 50 Small Business Blogs 2018
Best Small Business Blogs
BizHumm Top 100 Business Blog Award to Barbara Weltman
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2017 (link will open in a new window or tab)
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2016 (link will open in a new window or tab)

Footer

Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Small business ideas, business tax news and small business consulting from Barbara Weltman to provide business owners with the information they need to succeed. Visit our small business blog, Idea of The Day®, small business books and articles on small business taxes, small business finance and small business legal advice.

Contact Us

[email protected]

(772) 492-9593

gacor maxwin situs slot thailand terpercaya situs slot gacor situs gacor akun pro thailand slot bandar togel terpercaya

Latest Tweets

bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 3

SHRM 25 Day 3: The 3 Best Ways to Be an HR Hero to Your Employees - HR Daily Advisor https://bit.ly/4kj7fiR #workplace #smallbusiness

Reply on Twitter 1940901469160444029 Retweet on Twitter 1940901469160444029 Like on Twitter 1940901469160444029 Twitter 1940901469160444029
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 3

AI job predictions become corporate America's newest competitive sport | TechCrunch https://tcrn.ch/3ZXO9r9 #hiring #smallbusiness

Reply on Twitter 1940848348702924990 Retweet on Twitter 1940848348702924990 Like on Twitter 1940848348702924990 Twitter 1940848348702924990
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 3

5 Insurance Traps to Avoid - #Smallbusinessowners need to know
https://bit.ly/44atilz #smallbusiness #insurance #workplace #BOP

Reply on Twitter 1940826898348527629 Retweet on Twitter 1940826898348527629 Like on Twitter 1940826898348527629 1 Twitter 1940826898348527629
Load More

Copyright © 2008–2025 Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc  |  Designed by Hudson Fusion

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap