BOTTOM LINE IMPACT: MENTAL HEALTH

• The annual cost of mental illness is about $79 billion.

– Some $63 billion is due to lost productivity in the workplace because of absenteeism and presenteeism.

• One in four U.S. adults will have a mental illness this year, and one in two will have one within their lifetime.

– That affects 25 percent to 50 percent of our employee population! Many family members will be impacted as well.

• Less than 33 percent of those with a mental health issue get help.

• Up to 90 percent of those that do get help are able to reduce symptoms greatly.

Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Institute of Mental Health

FROM STIGMA TO ACCEPTANCE

False beliefs and assumptions about mental illness can cause significant problems…

• Lack of understanding / support

• Discrimination

• Stability

• Harassment

• Loss of hope

While mental illness is a common health condition, it can be difficult to come to terms with or talk about. We want to change that.

STAMP OUT STIGMA (S.O.S.) CAMPAIGN

• Mission: to defeat the obstruction of mental illness stigma and increase health-seeking behaviors.

• The Three Rs help successfully Stamp Out Stigma:

– Recognize the high prevalence of mental health conditions, the signs, the barrier to care that stigma creates.

– Reeducate yourself and others on the topic; there is help and there is hope.

– Reduce stigma, misunderstandings, bullying, insensitivity. Reduce hesitation to seeking care.

NEXT STEPS

• Allocate funding and form a small program workgroup.

• Review sample materials ValueOptions® has provided and develop communication plan.

• Order wristbands to show support for the campaign and to start the conversation.

• Rollout the program with announcement from senior leadership.

• Commit to sustaining the campaign and keeping the conversations going.