Wellness in the Workplace Isn't a Luxury: Mental health programs aren't just nice, they're smart.

• Author: Simonelli, Isaac Stone
• Position: HEALTHCARE

Long before clinical depression or suicidal tendencies take hold of a person, the mental health of an employee can impact a business, large or small.

Wellness at Hope

"For-profit organizations that have wellness programs make more money--straight up," says Rick Benjamin, the director of organizational and spiritual wellness at the secular, nonprofit organization Hope Community Resources. "That makes the point that this whole wellness thing isn't just a nice thing or a feel-good thing, it's very practical. If people are better, they do better work--and the for-profit business makes more money. So businesses that have wellness programs aren't just nice, they are actually smart."

Hope provides services to individuals and families who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and mental health challenges. But when it comes to supporting these individuals and their families, the process really starts with ensuring the mental wellness and quality of life of Hope's employees.

The wellness initiative at Hope started in 2001 as an intervention to create a healthier, more respectful workplace for employees, Benjamin explains.

"In the meantime, we hope that it's become a culture, not just an intervention, but kind of a way of life for employees and everyone else, including people who come for services," he says.

A wellness seminar is now part of the onboarding process for new employees, with a longer follow-up session three months down the line.

"We just wanted employees to feel valued and recognize that in the field of social service you need to take care of yourself. Part of the wellness strategy is helping staff develop their own personal wellness plan so that they have a strategy," says Michele Girault, quality of life director of workforce development and organizational wellness at Hope. "Employees need to recognize that conflict is normal, stress can be normal, and taking care of yourself is normal--it's okay to take care of yourself."

In addition to the wellness culture and seminars, the company also provides an employee assistance program, which is a counseling and therapy resource.

Working with local counseling therapy providers, Hope employees can reach out for help while Hope picks up the bill for up to three sessions per issue faced by the employee.

"It's totally anonymous. All we get is a bill," Benjamin says. "Often times, staff are dealing with their own personal issues--family, grief, family dynamics, or just the day-to-day job stress--and they just need someone to talk to outside of work. That's what that provides.

"These are just talks--if they need a deeper dive, they are referred out to another therapist."

For 2018, Hope received a $10,000 grant from insurance company Aetna to assist with its wellness program, and the company received a grant again for 2019.

Structured Wellness Initiatives

Aetna provides a number of resources for employers wanting to promote employee wellness and mental health, including the Mindfulness Challenge. Aetna Resources For Living Employee Assistance Program, and Mental First Aid.

"Aetna recognizes both the need for and the value of creating a...