U.S. Department of Labor’s Post

Helplines have historically been unappreciated sources of advice, reassurance and advocacy. Often run on shoestring budgets by volunteers, helplines have been literal lifesavers for some callers. The training, staffing, and experiences of those operating helplines is complex and not always fully understood or respected. But as a source of advice and care they occupy a vital global role. More recently, with increased demands for wellbeing support, workplace care and the cost of providing therapeutic or advisory services, the helpline has evolved into a new role where assistance may be provided to staff, students, or other recipients. In these cases the cost of the helpline is bourne by the organisation rather than the individual, so cheapest options are selected. An outsourced helpline is definitely cheaper than in-person therapy or making widespread systemic changes to improve health, safety and wages. Concerns have been raised about outsourcing, quality of advice given, models of care followed, and how systemic harms and barriers may persist while the bandaid of a helpline is implemented. Some have argued the original grassroots, peer led and often activist models of helplines were replaced by corporate, profit driven, standardised and rationed models of cheapest and quickest “care” delivering untested and unevidenced approaches with no demonstrable positive impact. However, new concerns have now been raised over the confidentiality and security of such helplines. All of which should lead us to return to the original aims and purposes of helplines while challenging how they have been misused in certain settings and to what detrimental effect? https://lnkd.in/eETG79k5

Why are employee benefits important? As our healthcare systems across the prairies continued to be strained, benefits can offer a more comprehensive approach to include mental health and holistic solutions. Benefits are not one-size-fits-all, particularly in a multigenerational workforce. Employers who offer choice and personalization within their benefits program signal an understanding of diversity and an openness to accommodate individual needs. Aside from basic health & dental, the #chambersplan can include so much more: Critical Illness coverage | to help meet the financial demands that often accompany a major illness or injury. Employee assistance program | provides confidential, one-on-one counselling with a designated psychosocial professional. Short & long-term disability | to help disabled employees focus on recovery and returning to work. #mentalhealthsupport #wellnesstips #employeebenefits #employeeassistanceprogram #business #prairies #CanadianBusinesses #chambersplanpr #wevegotyoucovered

In a world where employee mental health and wellbeing is becoming increasingly understood and thus critical to both people best practice and building high performing teams, this news regards Health Assured is extremely concerning. As a leader and people manager it really makes you wonder, what is the best approach? It is paramount we do our best to ensure our people are in safe hands. Maybe outsourcing to large EAPs isn’t the answer. Is adopting a more local and personalized approach a viable alternative?

How to reintegrate... traumatised workers? How can health and safety professionals best support individuals in their return to work following a catastrophic event? Glad to have contributed to this IOSH Magazine article Anna Scott with Craig Foyle Noreen Tehrani Christine Husbands Keith Morey providing some recommendations on how to best reintegrate traumatised workers. https://lnkd.in/dVevHPAn Traumatic incidents in the workplace can have profound effects on social aspects, employment and workers' health. Workers during their lifetime career are expected to encounter some form of trauma. If not addressed, this issue can significantly impact workers' overall physical and mental wellbeing. #trauma #healthandsafety #occupationalsafetyandhealth #mentalwellbeing #returntowork #workplacehealth #riskmanagement #policiesandprocedures #iosh #workplacementalhealth

For Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, the Employee Benefits Security Agency (EBSA) in the US Department of Labor highlights the critical need to address mental health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. Lisa M. Gomez, assistant secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), US Department of Labor, discusses the stark disparities in mental health care access, with only 1 in 5 women from minority groups seeking mental health treatment. #MinorityMentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthCare #HealthCareAccess #HealthEquity Watch now!

Responding to a mental health emergency can be challenging for employers and will often require balancing an employee's safety with their privacy in circumstances which require prompt action. We consider what steps may be appropriate for an employer to take, drawing on the recent guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). #mentalhealth #HR #employmentlaw

According to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 10% of America’s workers are dependent on one substance or another. Another found that 22.5% of respondents admitted to using drugs or alcohol during work hours. The most common substance used during working hours is cannabis.   For employers, the costs are great if they have someone on staff who has a substance-abuse problem. It behooves them to ensure that the group health plan they offer their workers is comprehensive amid this growing problem. Here’s what your plans should cover for your staff. https://lnkd.in/ghMqrYEK

Information Commissioner's Office sets out what businesses can do when they fear an employee is at risk of harm. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published new guidance to offer employers more certainty in disclosing their employees' personal information in a mental health emergency. #data #employee #emergency

According to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 10% of America's workers are dependent on one substance or another. Another found that 22.5% of respondents admitted to using drugs or alcohol during work hours. The most common substance used during working hours is cannabis. For employers, the costs are great if they have someone on staff who has a substance-abuse problem. It behooves them to ensure that the group health plan they offer their workers is comprehensive amid this growing problem. Here's what your plans should cover for your staff. https://lnkd.in/gPjrf_vE

🌟 Reflecting on a Crucial Conversation: Workplace Responsibility & Government Accountability in Suicide Prevention 🌟 Today, I read a compelling article, "How employers can help prevent suicide," https://lnkd.in/ersA9-RH and it struck a chord with what many of us know all too well: despite significant efforts, we still have a long way to go in reducing the heartbreakingly high rates of suicide. 💼 The Baton of Hope initiative introduces the Workplace Pledge, a set of principles aiming to turn workplaces into supportive environments that can play a crucial role in preventing suicide. While this is a commendable step, it made me ponder about the broader societal structures at play: 🏥 Recent headlines have highlighted a 'sick note culture,' criticising people for workplace absences due to mental health. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We need more than just corporate responsibility; we need a societal shift that understands and addresses mental health with compassion and practical support. 💷 Low levels of sick pay and inadequate support systems are failing those in need. Employers can lead by example, but they can't shoulder it alone. 🤝 Workplaces have a unique position to influence and advocate for better mental health support. Isn't it time for us to push for legislative changes that ensure mental health is treated with the urgency it deserves? 👉 It's not just about signing pledges; it's about demanding changes that save lives. Let’s encourage our workplaces to not only adopt internal measures but also to hold the government accountable for reinforcing these supports within our communities. How can we, as a community, enriched with knowledge and empathy, drive the change we wish to see? How can we ensure that the tragic loss of lives like Ross’s catalyses a movement that brings about real and lasting change? #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #WorkplaceWellbeing #SocialChange #GovernmentAccountability