Why Mental Health Support is Crucial for Your Workforce

The United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a framework for mental health and well-being in the workplace, stating: “A healthy workforce is the foundation for thriving organizations and healthier communities.” This framework draws a direct correlation between the mental wellness of employees and the overall health of an organization, outlining five essential areas of focus for business leaders to develop and nurture, including protection from harm, connection and community, work-life harmony, mattering at work, and opportunities for growth.

5 Key Focus Areas for Mental Wellness in the Workplace

A Data-Driven Crisis

The pervasive mental health crisis in our country is not limited to one industry or field. In 2021, 76% of all full-time U.S. workers surveyed reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition. Additionally, the Harvard Business Review found that an astounding 84% of respondents stated that at least one workplace factor had negatively impacted their mental health, which largely included emotionally draining work that contributed to stress, anxiety, and depression.

According to Jacquelyn Wolf, Chief Human Resources Officer at Vector, now is the time to be a leader in creating healthier patterns in your industry: “Prioritizing mental health is paramount in safeguarding your team’s well-being and should be a commitment shared by everyone in your organization.”

While recent surveys indicate that the need for mental health support in the workplace clearly continues to increase, so does the expectation from employees to receive such support from their employers. In fact, 81% of those surveyed cited that mental health support will be a primary consideration as they look for work in the future, meaning that organizations dedicated to recruiting and attracting top talent must be equally dedicated to prioritizing the mental wellness of their team.

The Impact of Mental Wellness in the Workplace

Poor mental health in the workplace is not just bad for your employees’ overall health and well-being – it’s bad for business. ​​The estimated economic burden of major depression on the U.S. economy is over $210 billion each year according to the American Psychiatric Association Foundation’s Center for Workplace Mental Health. These figures are related to absenteeism, lost productivity, and medical expenses.

Alternatively, a study from JAMA Network Open that looked at how employer-backed mental health programs can boost employee health, morale, and productivity found that organizations that invest in a comprehensive mental health program resulted in 25% fewer missed work days and boasted a 24% increase in productivity.

The data clearly demonstrates more must be done to protect our employees and communities at large. Taking steps to safeguard the mental well-being of your valued team is absolutely necessary for the ongoing success of your organization.

Why Vector Cares

At Vector Solutions, our mission is to serve everyday heroes by delivering intelligent software solutions that empower them to make safer, smarter, better decisions. The heart of this work means that we are dedicated to the well-being of our employees and our community at large, which is why we are always devising new methods to do more, and better.

One of those methods includes our no-cost social good program, Vector Cares, which combines our technology and capabilities to serve our communities with complimentary online courses on critical topics. These selected topics promote social awareness and serve as a resource for individuals who want to learn more and improve their organizations and communities.

We recently released even more free courses, covering topics that promote safety, mental well-being, and community awareness. The new courses cover an array of topics including understanding trauma, hazing, vaping, self-harm awareness, first responder health, and workplace violence. These additional courses complement existing ones that cover mental health, substance misuse, stress management, servant leadership, and more. The program aims to promote social awareness and serve as a resource for individuals seeking to create safer and more inclusive environments. The interactive eLearning courses are free to anyone who registers.

Vector Cares Course Offerings

Since it was first launched in March 2023, the Vector Cares program has seen over 1,300 enrollments, indicating the high demand for accessible and valuable eLearning resources. This latest expansion, including the launch of LiveSafe Essentials in October 2023, continues Vector Solutions’ commitment to providing high-quality training to those who need it most.

Whether your employees are in the office or working from home, online training is an excellent way to help support their mental wellness. Here is a small sampling of the Vector Cares course topics we provide for our community:

• Diet & NutritionNutritious diets, exercise, and good sleep hygiene are important factors for battling mental health issues. Our Vector Cares course on health and wellness helps to equip learners with the knowledge they need to lead healthier lives.
• Stress, Anxiety, & DepressionStress and anxiety can affect anyone, which is why resources that help people learn management techniques are so important. These courses cover topics including critical incident stress management, mental health for first responders, combatting depression for students, reducing stress and anxiety, stress management and prevention, and more.
• Self-Harm PreventionLearning to understand the symptoms and signs of self-harm in our youth is important, particularly for educators. Our courses on self-harm awareness and prevention for K-12 educators and staff provide them with the tools to keep our children safer.
• Aftermath of TraumaThese courses are designed to help students and first responders effectively process and heal from traumatic experiences. They include courses on understanding trauma, the aftermath of trauma, healing from trauma for younger students, PTSD in the fire service, and more.

Mental Wellness Matters

Vector Solutions is dedicated to mental wellness through initiatives like Vector Cares, offering essential resources and training to promote healthier environments and protect the mental well-being of our employees and communities.

Likewise, your organization must address the mental health needs of your employees by providing them with tools, resources, and online training like our Vector Cares courses. This will help to mitigate the damage of the pervasive mental health crisis in our country, while also cultivating a workplace environment for your organization that is primed for success.

By prioritizing employee well-being, business leaders can make a meaningful difference in building stronger, more resilient communities.