DYK: 1-in-7 people globally struggle with mental health? This means that millions of people around the world struggle with feelings of anxiety, fear, isolation, and depression with many lacking access to much-needed care. The number of people seeking care is trending upward as rates of burnout, anxiety, and depression are at record levels.
So, the question remains, what can we do?
Since 1949, many organizations have observed May as Mental Health Awareness Month as it serves as a great opportunity to bring awareness to behavioral health and mental illness as mental health organizations join forces to educate and help fight the stigma associated with mental illness.
Mental health is a topic we don’t take lightly here at Amwell, and rightfully so. Employee mental health is at an all-time low, with one shocking report revealing that nearly 60% of employees are negatively impacted by work-related stress. In fact, a Deloitte study found that 77% of employees reported experiencing burnout which can lead to decreased productivity, unhappy employees, and loss of talent if left unaddressed. This is why choosing to invest in employees’ overall mental health and well-being is so important!
At Amwell, we are committed to supporting and helping employees and their loved ones maintain good mental health by providing the tools and resources needed to navigate any mental health issues they may be experiencing. Look for us in this featured article by VentureFizz to learn more about some of the great benefits we offer.
We are also thrilled to bring back, for a second year, a series of monthly programming honoring Mental Health Awareness Month. We will be providing employees with tips and resources including coping skills, healthy habits, and stress reduction exercises to help them in their mental health journey for May and beyond. Check out what we have planned for the month below!
- Amwell Cares – Mental Health Donation to Advance Healthy Equity: Our corporate giving program is offering employees an opportunity to submit proposals for a nonprofit organization or charity that aligns with supporting mental health. The winning organization/charity will receive a donation from Amwell!
- SilverCloud Health Presentation: Amwell employees have free access to SilverCloud’s mental health services. We’re excited to have members of the SilverCloud team discuss their work and how digital mental health services can make an impact.
- Break to Educate Session – New Face of Nursing: In honor of National Nurses Week, we will be hosting a fireside chat featuring members of our own clinical team who will be covering a wide variety of topics such as the current nursing shortage, virtual nursing, and how Amwell can make a difference.
- Boosting Resiliency with Katherine McHugh: This session with motivational speaker Katherine McHugh who is the founder of Awaken Wellness Resources, will focus on ways we can manage stress while minimizing its impact on our overall well-being. In addition, she’ll share how we can develop skills to help us adapt and overcome challenges and adversity.
- IMPACT Boston – Self-defense Class: We are excited to offer a virtual class with IMPACT Boston to teach employees about:
- De-escalation & verbal strategies for self-defense
- Awareness exercises and best practices for avoiding violence
- Managing stress in a worse case situation
- Understanding self-defense & setting boundaries as a measuring tool for safety
- 12 Days of Happiness Activity: This advent calendar style activity will live on our intranet site for our employees! Each day they will open a new “door” which will include tips, resources, and activities related to mental health with several opportunities to win prizes!
Remember that we all play active roles in caring for our mental health! Below are some ways you can get involved this month and make an impact:
- Share your experiences with mental illness to help give courage to others to speak out
- Attend an awareness walk or other events benefiting from the mental health movement
- Correct and educate those who use stigmatizing language
- Prioritize your mental health and practice self-care
- Share mental health resources:
- National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI): provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): provides information on mental health statistics, clinical trials, and research
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): provides information on prevention, treatment, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and related conditions
- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: provides referrals to support groups and mental health professionals, resources on loss, and suicide prevention information
- The Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-TALK for free, confidential support available 24/7. ⠀
