The SHRM Foundation, One Mind at Work, and Psych Hub announced on July 17 that they have joined together to launch “Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace,” an initiative to engage HR professionals in education and training opportunities to lead mental health and wellness change in the workplace.
The initiative aims to promote a culture of acceptance around returning to the workplace and the rising mental health issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psych Hub guides providers, professionals, and allies from knowledge learned to behavior change through innovation, gamification, certifications, and supportive patient/employee education. The free Psych Hub video library hosts over 150 short, animated videos for consumers focused on improving mental health literacy and reducing stigma about seeking care.
With materials available to all companies, the initiative encompasses a series of vital resources for HR professionals and their employees, including:
- A workplace wellness resource center compiling best-in-class resources from leading partners
- Training courses for HR professionals on adequately addressing mental health issues in the modern workplace
“Now, more than ever, HR professionals are helping employers and employees manage the significant mental toll of COVID-19,” said Wendi Safstrom, executive director of the SHRM Foundation. “As the nation, and the world returns to the workplace in phases, it is critical to provide timely resources so workers feel safe, secure, and supported while continuing to reduce the mental health stigma in the workplace."
Recent SHRM research found that 41% of employees feel burnt out, drained, or exhausted from their work. Additionally, nearly one in four employees report frequently feeling down, depressed, or hopeless—yet more than one in three employees reported having done nothing to cope with these feelings.
“We’ve compiled a number of resources and tools to address some of the most common mental health and workplace wellness issues in an evidence-based way,” said Marjorie Morrison, CEO of Psych Hub. “Employers have a responsibility to care for their workers, whether they share a physical office or work remotely. The initiative gives employers access to trustworthy resources to ensure that we’re doing our part to mitigate mental health issues and support wellbeing.”