Continuing our support for Mental Health Awareness Month, my word for this week is actually two words—Depression and Anxiety.
As business owners, we often carry the weight of multiple responsibilities—meeting deadlines, managing teams, and growing our companies. Sadly, the COVID pandemic brought a new layer of challenges for us, including a significant rise in workplace anxiety and depression.
According to the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% in the first year of the pandemic. In the U.S., the CDC reports that over 40% of adults struggled with mental health issues during that time, with anxiety and depression being the most common.
The reality is that employees—and business owners—are not immune to these struggles. Depression can lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and low morale, while anxiety can result in difficulty focusing and decision-making. These issues, if left unaddressed, can severely impact both personal well-being and business performance.
There is no better time than TODAY to start an open dialogue about mental health in your workplace. As you look to renew your healthcare benefits for 2025, give serious consideration to either starting or increasing access to mental health benefits. Ask your employees what mental health benefits they might be interested in for next year.
An open dialogue will also have a positive impact on your company’s culture, making your business a place where people want to work and turn the ordinary into extraordinary. Make the investment today, because it’s the right thing to do, and you will see dividends for years to come.
