Mental Health

Three levels of Mental Wellness Interventions can assist with strengthening the health and well being of your workplace:

1. Individual Level Interventions

   These interventions provide employees with a variety of mental health wellness classes that allow them to integrate simple exercises into their daily lives. These classes can be in-person, virtual, or through phone apps (CALM, Headspace, Mindfulness app). Mindfulness, meditation, resiliency, self-care, or yoga classes enhance employee engagement, build resilience, manage stress, boost productivity, and increase overall well-being, happiness, and job satisfaction. Other possible interventions at this level include:

   • Make mental health self-assessment tools available to all employees
   • Provide teach-ins with mental health professionals to raise awareness and knowledge
   • Offer confidential screenings for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse
   • Encouraging in-person or online peer-to-peer engagement and support.
2. Environmental Level Interventions

   Provide presentations and training sessions for supervisors, leadership team or management. For example, Mental Health First Aid teaches the general public how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps individuals identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) teaches staff how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Learn more about the training opportunities on the South Dakota Suicide Prevention or Helpline Center training pages. Other possible Interventions at this level include:

   • Provide mental health and mental illness materials and messages through various means (brochures, paycheck stuffers, intranet, listservs, posters, signs, or fact sheets)
   • Encourage the use of mental health services provided by EAP, Helpline Center, 211, and other mental health community resources
   • Offer stress reduction presentations on a variety of topics including: conflict resolution, personal finance planning, managing multiple priorities, and self-care
3. Organizational Level Interventions

   Eight in ten workers say shame and stigma prevent them from seeking treatment for a mental health condition. Businesses everywhere can begin to change this by becoming a StigmaFree Company. NAMI’s StigmaFree Company initiative encourages Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or business practices that take responsibility for a company’s impact on employee’s well-being. This initiative combines CSR with employee engagement activities available in a StigmaFree Company Toolkit. The kit equips companies with the resources, assets and information they need to promote mental health awareness in the workplace and to encourage acceptance and understanding. Other possible Interventions at this level include:

   • Create policies that provide guidance to supervisors on mental health consultation and information and improve their skills to intervene or supervise an employee with mental health issues
   • Talk openly about mental health at staff meetings and encourage use of Employee Assistance Programs or other mental health initiatives being offered
   • Have a dedicated mental health wellness champion to lead organizational efforts
4. Helping Employees Manage Mental Health
   Mental health is impacted in large and small ways by various life events. Help your employees take care of their mental health by being aware of what impacts mental health and strategies that can help them cope.

Impact of Stress

Stress can cause the following:

• Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
• Changes in appetite, energy, desires, or interest
• Problems concentrating or making decisions
• Nightmares or problems sleeping
• Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, or skin rashes
• Worsening of chronic diseases or mental health conditions
• Overeating or not eating enough
• Increase use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription drugs (like opioids)

Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress

You can help yourself, others, and your employees manage stress in the following ways:

• Take breaks from news stories, including those on social media
• Take care of your body
  • Get vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products
  • Going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends, can help you sleep better (adults need 7 or more hours per night)
  • Move more and sit less. Every little bit of physical activity helps
  • Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Avoid using prescription drugs in ways other than prescribed, taking someone else’s prescription, or using illegal drugs
  • Avoid smoking and the use of other tobacco products
  • Continue with regular health appointments, testing, and screening, especially those for cancer
• Make time to unwind
• Connect with people you trust; family, friends, community- or faith-based organizations