A CASE FOR WORKPLACE WELLNESS

Workplace wellness is everybody's business. Many employees spend more than 1/3 of their day at work. That's at least one meal a day-- and the majority of their waking hours. Given all of the time we spend at work, employers and employees coming together to create a healthy work environment benefits everyone!

Leadership is key to making this happen and good leaders realize that "workplace well-being is a business strategy."

Business Case for Workplace Wellness

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans had a diagnosable mental health condition in the last year and many others are at risk. For almost 20 years, stress-related issues in the workplace have been on the rise. What's more, these conditions tend to strike during our most productive working years, and they are among our nation's most disabling. The numbers are staggering. Every year, mental illness and substance abuse cost employers an estimated $80 to $100 billion in direct costs. Our mental and physical health is inextricably linked together.

Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Illnesses

Disability Impact

The good news is that many employers are recognizing the human as well as financial value of having a healthy workplace!

Return on Investment for Health Promotion

Other Resources

• http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/employee-may-need-mental-health-help
• http://www.overcomebullying.org/mobbing.html
• http://www.mhac.org/programs/wellness-works.cfm
• http://www.mhaet.com/mental-health-workplace.php
• http://www.reintegration.com/
• http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/safetysecurity/articles/pages/european-workers-missed-work-depression.aspx
• http://www.openmindsopendoors.com/
• https://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-irsst-publication-mental-health-at-work-from-defining-to-solving-the-problem-solving-the-problem-preventing-stress-in-the-workplace-r-427-3.html
• http://www.mhawisconsin.org/Data/Sites/1/media/wpp_strategicplan.pdf
  http://www.workplacementalhealth.org/Functional/About-Us/Meet-the-staff.aspx

We hope that you find this information helpful. If you have questions or concerns about this toolkit, you may contact Erica Ahmed at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .