This blog was written by Esther Scott, with Positive Actions International, a member of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, as a part of our Thought Leadership Highlights series. To celebrate our members, the Chamber is spotlighting entrepreneurial spirit in our community.
May is Mental Health Month, and we know that our mind is our most valuable asset. All we do and all that we achieve is because of the health and creativity of our mind. Our Thought Leader for this edition, Esther Scott, can be considered one of the strongest mental health advocates for the City of Arlington and Mental Health Month. Esther Scott is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and she works closely with community leaders and business executives providing consulting on developing listening skills for management and motivating underachievers. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.
“Mental Health Month” has been celebrated throughout the US since 1949, with each community coordinating their own event. I have had the privilege, through Positive Actions International, to coordinate the efforts for the City of Arlington for the past six years and have received great support and participation from city and community leaders alike.
As our city begins to truly recognize and understand the importance of mental health, Together for Mental Health has received a warm welcome among businesses as well, as we shed light on the economic impact mental health issues have on businesses. According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated one trillion dollars per year in lost productivity and absenteeism. And it costs US businesses $225 billion annually, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Other areas of great losses to businesses due to mental health issues include:
-Reduced quality: When employees are struggling with mental health challenges, there is a direct impact on quality and productivity which may lead to dissatisfied customers and potential revenue loss.
-Overtime Costs: Businesses may need to pay overtime to other employees or bring in temporary workers, to compensate for absent employees due to mental health conditions.
-Impact on Morale and Turnover: Frequent absenteeism can impact team dynamics and morale, leading to decreased engagement and potentially higher turnover rates.
How can business help improve mental health?
1- Include a “Mental Health Hour” as Part of Training: Make mental health education a yearly presentation. Similar to the annual trainings for issues such as cultural sensitivity, or other HR policies, businesses can include a mental health hour in which employees will be equipped with the tools to overcome mental health challenges.
2- Partner with a Local Counseling Office: Partnering with a local counseling practice offers flexibility, as businesses can tailor the services based on their specific needs, such as offering individual counseling sessions, workshops, or seminars; and, it can be more cost-effective, especially for smaller businesses with limited budgets, as establishing an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) typically involves more significant upfront and ongoing costs.
3-Participate in community mental health efforts. The annual Together for Mental Health for the City of Arlington is a free event that brings together business leaders, government officials, faith ministers, community members, and mental health professionals with the goal of highlighting the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. This year’s event will be celebrated on May 9th from 5:30 pm-8:00 pm at the Bob Duncan Center.
These positive actions can be of great benefit to businesses and employees because when businesses participate in caring for their employees’ mental health, their employees can be more focused, effective, and productive in the office. Healthy minds produce great successes for businesses and for our city.