NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health agency in the United States, offering educational programs, advocates for individuals and families affected by mental illness, and a toll-free helpline.
He also created the StigmaFree Company initiative, challenging companies across the United States to step up and do their part in the fight against the ‘humiliation’ often associated with mental health.
According to NAMI, one in five adults experience a mental health condition each year, which means that, depending on the size of the company, dozens of staff members want to have a serious conversation about mental health in the workplace, without However, eight out of 10 workers say that shame prevents them from seeking treatment.
Untreated mental health conditions will affect the company, both financially and in terms of staff morale, and the economy, costing around $200 billion in lost profits each year.
But it’s easy to overcome with the help of NAMI, a move Hostess has taken to review and update its company’s mental health resources and explore ways to connect employees to these resources. Hostess also provides all employees with guidelines on how to discuss mental health in the workplace without inciting embarrassment.
“Our mission is to inspire moments of joy by putting our hearts into everything we do”,said Hostess CEO Andy Callahan.
“As the company that’s all about creating joy, we recognize that mental and emotional well-being is essential to happiness.
“It is critical for us to demonstrate the importance of employee mental health and prioritize a stigma-free workplace. We are excited about our national partnership with NAMI and the opportunity we have to do our part to bring joy to the communities we serve by raising awareness, reducing stigma and increasing belonging.”
walking the road
Hostess is sponsoring three NAMIWalks in different cities where it operates to encourage employees, friends and family to help raise awareness and funds for NAMI’s free mental health programs in these communities. The walks, which can also be attended virtually, are planned for:
- Chicago: Saturday, September 17 (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT at Jackson Park)
- Greater Indianapolis: Saturday, October 8 (9:00 a.m. CDT at OptiPark Indy)
- Greater Kansas City: Saturday, October 15 (8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CDT at Macken Park)
“NAMI is thrilled to welcome Hostess as our national partner in creating a stigma-free workplace and as a title sponsor of our NAMIWalks events in Chicago, Indianapolis and Kansas City.”said Jessica Edwards, director of development for NAMI.
“Hostess employees across the country are embracing NAMI’s StigmaFree workplace approach and are now supporting NAMIWalks as volunteers and fundraisers.”
the cost of covid
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25%. And although the impact of the pandemic has been different for everyone, there is no doubt that it has been a really difficult time for everyone.
More troubling still, a Harvard study found that people suffering from poor mental health are particularly prone to a long duration of Covid,suffer from persistent and often debilitating ailments such as fatigue, shortness of breath, mental confusion, and heart problems for more than three months. An estimated 150 million adults and 13 million children are currently suffering from the symptoms of Long Covid, with an economic cost to the US to date of more than $386 billion.
The findings come as the Long Covid Research Initiative (LCRI), a coalition of researchers from institutions including Harvard, Yale and Johns Hopkins University, has launched in the US to explore Long Covid and potential therapies.
While the relationship between mental well-being and grief is unclear, psychological distress can lead to chronic inflammation and disrupt the immune system, which could make people more vulnerable, the researchers noted in JAMA Psychiatry.
Lead author Siwen Wang, an epidemiologist at Harvard University, said it’s important for people with mental health problems to have good access to care.
“Future research should investigate whether better management of psychological distress can prevent people from having Covid for long or improve their symptoms.”she said
A company free of stigma
According to NAMI, 52% of employees believe their company is not doing enough to promote employee health. But this is easily changed.
NAMI’s StigmaFree Company initiative encourages business practices that take responsibility for a company’s impact on social well-being, starting with a welcome kit with the resources, assets, and information needed to get started.
Supervisors and employees should be open to conversations about supporting employee mental health, be proactive in reaching out to co-workers who may be struggling, and be understanding if someone needs accommodations or time off from work.
Provide training so managers know how to have effective conversations about mental health and wellness in relation to conversations about performance and discipline.
Using non-stigmatizing language, encouraging employees to support one another, and providing mental health resources help create a healthy work culture.
The company is also encouraged to support employees by offering adequate insurance coverage, employee assistance programs, accommodations or disability plans for people with mental health conditions, access to quality care, and policies to support family caregivers. .
Hostess Brands employs more than 2,600 workers to produce some of America’s most beloved sugar-free baked goods, cupcakes, mini donuts and cookies, with sales exceeding $1.1 billion a year.
To study:
Authors: Wang S, Quan L, Chavarro JE, et al.
JAMA Psychiatry. Posted online September 7, 2022
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