There’s Help, You’re Not Alone: Mental Health Hotline

Who’s not stressed out in 2022?

The stagnation of wages for the past few decades means that many American workers are struggling to get by. This economic insecurity and stress has taken a toll on mental health.

Work stress is due to many factors, including work overload, low pay and little job security. In 2022, it is estimated that more than half of all American workers will be dealing with stress-related problems.

Research shows the COVID pandemic has worsened mental health for workers trying to balance their safety with the need to make a living. Every week, there seems to be a new variant. Infection rates surge. Remote workers hunker down and are shut off from friends, family and mental health resources.

Research Shows Crisis Conditions

A Florida-based treatment facility recently conducted a survey and found that mental health symptoms among participants have deteriorated in the last six months, discovering that:

• 68% reported feeling stressed out
• 87% reported experiencing mental health symptoms compared to 74% in January 2021
• 64% reported sleep-related issues

Furthermore, The American Psychiatric Association Foundation found that:

• 1 in 5 U.S. workers experience a diagnosable mental illness
• 1 in 10 of U.S. workers struggle with addiction issues

Mental illness can take many forms, such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. If workers are stressed out, many believe companies are not stepping up to the plate to make things better. Some 50% of employees do not feel their employers provide adequate mental health resources.

The Exceptions

In 2016, the San Francisco-based medical software startup Practice Fusion created an employee assistance program (EAP) with onsite care and counseling. The company’s EAP is staffed 24/48 hours by psychologists who are trained in crisis intervention and can offer information on how to find local treatment providers as well as referrals for employees experiencing mental health symptoms or conditions.

The Hershey Company, the largest chocolate maker in North America, has had a confidential employee assistance program since 1984 that provides counseling and referral services for employees and their families.

Intel’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers 24/hour telephone access to licensed mental health professionals who can provide crisis intervention and short-term counseling.

Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, also offers a 24/hour hotline staffed by counselors who are trained to deal with workplace crises.

Mental Health Support Benefits the Bottom Line

A 2016 study found that workers’ productivity increased when their company offered an EAP. The study looked at two Fortune 500 companies over a five-year period and found that:

• Employees of companies with an EAP took an average of six days off due to mental health-related issues, compared to 11 days for employees of companies without an EAP.
• The study also found that workers at companies with an EAP were less likely to file a Workers’ Compensation claim related to mental health issues.

Another study found that employees of companies with an EAP reported more positive attitudes towards their work and employer.

Boeing, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, has had a confidential employee assistance program since 2012. The company’s programs include 24/48 hours crisis intervention services and short-term counseling for mental health issues as well as substance abuse concerns such as alcoholism or drug addiction.

Workplace mental health hotlines provide a vital service by giving employees a safe, confidential place to turn when they are struggling.

Mental Health Hotline Benefits

Mental health hotlines can provide employees with the support they need when they are struggling with stress or other mental health issues. By providing access to these services, employers can create a healthier workplace and improve employee productivity.

There are many benefits of using a mental health hotline. First, it provides employees with a confidential way to talk about their problems. Second, it connects employees with qualified professionals who can help them deal with their issues. Third, it helps employers create a healthier workplace . Fourth, it can reduce the amount of time employees miss from work due to mental health problems.

Employers can help stressed-out workers by setting up a hotline for workers to access mental health support. This will allow employees to have an anonymous way to reach out for help and connect with resources. Hotlines are especially beneficial for rural areas where there may be limited resources available.

Tips for Setting Up Mental Health Hotlines

Here are some suggestions for creating a successful workplace mental health hotline:

• The hotline should be staffed 24/48 hours with people who are trained in crisis intervention.
• Hotline staff should be able to offer information on how to find local treatment services and providers.
• Staff should also be familiar with company policies and procedures as well as state and federal laws.
• The hotline should have a way to refer employees with serious mental health issues directly to the company’s EAP.
• The hotline should have a clear protocol for reporting information to senior management.
• Employers should make sure hotline staff know how they will be protected from any legal repercussions if anything discussed on the line becomes known outside of this type of service through, say, a cyber security breach.
• Workers’ compensation programs that provide medical care and coverage for work-related trauma may also be information sources for employee referrals to mental health and addiction specialists

If a company does not offer a mental health hotline or an EAP, workers should organize and advocate for such resources.

National Mental Health Hotlines

Employers need not wait for a crisis such as the COVID pandemic to take action on improving their workplace mental health resources. Establishing a hotline is one way that employers can show their workers that they are concerned about their well-being and want them to be healthy and productive members of the team.

If your workplace has you stressed out, you are not alone. Access your company’s EAP. If your employers doesn’t provide mental health support, here are some national resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8225)
• Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8225)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Referral Hotline: 800-662-HELP (800-662-434)
• Crisis Text Line: 741741

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness in a given year. With all the challenges presented by the festering pandemic, seek help through your employer’s mental health program or a national mental health hotline.