Mental Health in the Workplace Addressed at May First Friday Luncheon

(AFTHAN REENTS AND ASHLEY DILLINGHAM)

Wellness in the Workplace was the theme for the May Chamber First Friday Luncheon.

Mental health was the focus with licensed professionals Ashley Dillingham of HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital and Afthan Reents of Heartland Human Services sharing information useful to employers and employees.

After asking what it means to be "well", the presenters shared the two main limiters to wellness...depression and anxiety. Those two could be demonstrated by restlessness, weight gain or loss, sleep loss, irritability, loss of interest and pleasure in activities, and even thoughts of suicide.

The 2021 Health Needs Community Assessment for Effingham and Jasper County found that ER visits for anxiety-related disorders in Effingham County are at 60.94 per 10,000 while the state rate is 36.91 per 10,000. 

A question was raised as to what happens if mental health is not addressed in the workplace? Answers included increased absenteeism, increased turnover, accidents, physical health worsens causing more absences, and productivity loss or delays. 

Dillingham and Meents also shared the five essentials for workplace mental health and well-being. Those are Protection From Harm, Connection and Community, Work-Life Harmony, Mattering at Work, and Opportunities for Growth.

The presenters made the point that current and potential employees value employers who care about them and take their feelings into account.