Mental Health Resources & Tools
Approximately one in five people is dealing with a mental health situation on a daily basis; yet only one-third of these people are receiving the care they need. Mental health conditions continue to be among the leading causes of workplace absence and are associated with high cost for treatments and lost wages.
Because of these challenges, it is essential for employers to build and sustain cultures of health and well-being in their organizations, which can lead to improved workforce and employee health, increased productivity, decreased health and disability costs, and enhanced employee engagement and experience.
We wanted to provide a variety of free resources and tools to help you address mental health in your organizations and bridge the gap by combatting the stigma around mental illness.
DMECommunities Mental Health Group
DMECommunities, our online networking groups, provide members with a welcoming and professional environment where they can directly connect with industry peers, ask/answer questions, share resources, seek feedback, and obtain absence and disability management information. The Mental Health Group is dedicated to discussions around mental health topics.
DMEC Mental Health Webinars
DMEC provides a variety of webinars on mental health topics throughout the year. We invite you to watch the recordings from some of our past webinars that cover best practices for supporting workplace mental health.
- Webinar Recording: Moving the Needle on Mental Health – Tips & Strategies For Effective Well-being
- Webinar Recording: Strategies For Ensuring a Quality Behavioral Health IME
- Webinar Recording: Are Your Behavioral Health Benefits Working?
- Webinar Recording: Have You Checked Your Vitals Recently? Healthcare Research & Industry Trends
DMEC @Work Magazine
Each year, in the May issue of @Work magazine, we highlight programs, tools, and resources employers can use to combat the stigma associated with mental illness and assist employees in getting the support they need.
- May 2022 issue
- May 2021 issue
- May 2020 issue
- May 2019 issue
- May 2018 issue
- May 2017 issue
- May 2016 issue
DMEC Podcast
Check out past episodes of Absence Management Perspectives: A DMEC Podcast which offer perspectives on supporting employees and creating a supportive culture for mental health.
COVID-19 Resources
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the crucial importance of workplace mental health programs and resources. Below are a few resources that directly address the mental health aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional COVID-19 information and tools, access our resource page.
- WHO’s Mental Health and Pyschosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Resource
- Center for Workplace Mental Health’s Working Remotely During COVID-19 Resource
- Center for Workplace Mental Health’s COVID-19: Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
A Mindful Moment Recording
During the 2021 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference, Ruth Wolever, PhD led participants through a mindfulness practice that could be applied at home or in the office. Take advantage of the mindfulness practices she demonstrates that can be applied to the everyday moments of life.
Self-Care Worksheet
Have your employees consider tips and approaches to support mental wellness and well-being with this self-care worksheet. Employees can use the notes section to personalize how they will put each tip into practice, and they can share insight with their families to prompt discussion on how to better support each other.
Managing Optimal Work Performance Through Behavioral Health Conditions White Paper
Millions of Americans struggle with mental health and substance use (alcohol or drug) conditions. The umbrella term for all these issues is behavioral health conditions. Since behavioral health conditions are common, workplaces benefit when they are prepared and knowledgeable. DMEC and The Standard created the Managing Optimal Work Performance Through Behavioral Health Conditions white paper to highlight the predictable sequence of impacts and events that occur as symptoms emerge.
2019 DMEC Mental Health Pulse Survey Results
DMEC partnered with employee benefits company, Unum, to understand workplace mental health programs and offerings from companies in over 26 industries, doing business across the globe. The 268 survey respondents gave insight into the current state of mental health in their organizations, and what resources employers are offering to address the mental health needs of their employees.
DMEC Behavioral Health Survey White Paper
This report provides an overview and analysis of the DMEC Behavioral Health Survey, conducted biennially, which tracks employer strategies, advancements, prevalence, and effectiveness in the area of behavioral risk management. These findings build on the results from prior studies, providing an opportunity to identify changes in employer trends and what they mean for your organization.
Minding Our Business: Mental Health in the Workplace Executive Summary
Featuring a summary of the 2016 DMEC Annual Conference mental health preconference workshop, this resource addresses how to build the business case for mental health and well-being, how to ensure mental health programs generate meaningful outcomes, and how to implement effective programs that address workplace mental health and improve employee engagement.
Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do Campaign
This online toolkit features a range of integrated materials to help you or your organization support the message of the “Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?”
Center for Workplace Mental Health
The Center for Workplace Mental Health‘s mission is to help workers with mental illness by inspiring companies to reduce the stigma of mental health issues and provide better support for employees. The Center’s website features a host of free resources including programs such as Right Direction and ICU as well as case studies, mental health calculators, mental health education, and much more.
ICU
The ICU program is an awareness campaign with videos, implementation guides, sample flyers and emails, and more made especially for the workplace. The resources are designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and foster a workplace culture that supports emotional health.
Right Direction
Right Direction is a first-of-its-kind initiative that gives employers the tools they need to address depression in the workplace. What makes this initiative unique from other depression awareness campaigns is that it was developed for and by employers for specific application at the workplace. It provides turnkey, customizable resources and materials to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage people to seek help.
Mental Health America
Mental Health America and their affiliates across the country have led the observance of Mental Health Month, reaching millions of people through the media, local events, and screenings. Free toolkits, fact sheets, and other resources are available through their website to assist organizations in spreading the word about mental health.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), funds and conducts research to help answer important scientific questions about mental illnesses. Through research, NIMH works to determine what is promising, what helps and why, what doesn’t work, and what is safe. NIMH provides a variety of mental health information and resources through their website.
Stamp Out Stigma
Stamp Out Stigma is an initiative spearheaded by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders. Through videos, pledge opportunities, and education, this campaign challenges individuals to transform the dialogue on mental health and addiction from a whisper to a conversation.
The Kennedy Forum Illinois
The Kennedy Forum in Illinois is working toward lasting change in the way mental health and addictions are considered and treated. They provide a variety of resources on their website, focused on changing both attitudes and practice.
Each Mind Matters
Each Mind Matters represents California’s mental health movement, working to advance mental health. Through toolkits, fact sheets, and other resources that encourage listening, speaking up, and reaching out, Each Mind Matters encourages everyone to start conversations during Mental Health Month.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health provides free information, tools, and resources to employers and organizations who recognize that a healthier workplace can improve their bottom line through improving psychological health and safety in the workplace and supporting employee success when mental health is a factor.
EARN’s Mental Health Toolkit
EARN’s Mental Health Toolkit provides background, tools and resources that can help employers learn more about mental health issues and cultivate a welcoming and supportive work environment for employees who may be facing mental health issues. It also presents an easy-to-follow framework for fostering a mental health-friendly workplace, all built around the “4 A’s”: Awareness, Accommodations, Assistance and Access.
Working Well Toolkit
The Working Well toolkit is a collaborative effort of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-NYC Metro, Northeast Business Group on Health, Partnership for Workplace Mental Health/American Psychiatric Association Foundation, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and The Kennedy Forum to help employers foster a workplace that supports mental health and wellness.
Job Accommodation Network Depression Resources
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Their accommodation page for depression features a variety of resources to support employees with mental health impairments.
Guarding Minds @ Work
Guarding Minds @ Work (GM@W) is a unique and free, comprehensive set of resources designed in Canada to protect and promote psychological health and safety in the workplace. GM@W resources allow employers to effectively assess and address the 13 psychosocial factors known to have a powerful impact on organizational health, the health of individual employees, and the financial bottom line.
Heads Together Campaign
In the United Kingdom, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spearheading the Heads Together campaign to end stigma around mental health. Heads Together aims to change the conversation on mental health and well-being through partnerships with inspiring charities with decades of experience in tackling stigma, raising awareness, and providing vital help for people with mental health challenges. The Heads Together website features videos, conversation topics, and much more.
Heads Up
Developed by the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance and beyondblue in Australia, Heads Up calls on business leaders to make a commitment and start taking action in their workplaces. It also encourages everyone in the workplace to play their part in creating a mentally healthy working environment, take care of their own mental health, and look out for their colleagues. The website provides a wide range of resources, information, and advice for individuals and organizations — all of which are designed to offer simple, practical and, most importantly, achievable guidance.