Page 2 - The Leadership Line: October 2024

Discussing Mental Health

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. That
is why each year, during the first week of October, Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW),
advocates have worked together to sponsor activities to educate the public about mental illness.

Mental health conditions are important to discuss year-round but highlighting them during
MIAW provides a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come
together as one unified voice.

Did you know?

» 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental » Annual prevalence among U.S. adults, by condition:
illness (SMI) each year. * Major Depressive Episode: 8.3% (21 million people)
(Source: Jobvite)
» 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a * Schizophrenia: <1% (estimated 1.5 million people)
mental health disorder each year.
* Bipolar Disorder: 2.8% (estimated 7 million people)
* Anxiety Disorders: 19.1% (estimated 48 million people)
* Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 3.6% (estimated 9 million
people)
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1.2% (estimated 3
Learn more: million people)
NIH Mental Health * Borderline Personality Disorder: 1.4% (estimated 3.5
Descriptions and Statistics million people)

How Can Managers Help?

Managers may not know there is a difference between mental health and well-being. Mental
health refers to the current state of our mental functioning, including our emotional, social,
and psychological states. Addressing mental health often means seeking support from medical
professionals for a diagnosed psychological condition.

More than just the absence of mental illness, mental wellness allows us to be emotionally
resilient when faced with challenges, be aware of our strengths and weaknesses, develop
healthy relationships and produce results in the workplace.

Fundamentally, mental health and well-being are interrelated, and a healthy workforce fuels
successful organizations. That said, managers are not trained mental health professionals. It is
understandable for managers to feel overwhelmed if their team comes to depend on them as
their main source of mental health support. Connect with HR for guidance on helping connect
employees with the mental health resources they need and setting appropriate boundaries—
which will support the well-being of everyone involved.

Source: Forbes, How Leaders Can Address Mental Health and Well-being in the Workplace

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