Page 2 - The LeadershipLine: May 2023

About the numbers: Mental Illness in

the Workplace

Examples of psychiatric diagnoses include anxiety disorder, depression, attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Among
these adults, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that:

» 18% have an anxiety disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-
compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder)
» 9.5% have depression

» 4% have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
» 2.6% have bipolar disorder
18% » 1% have schizophrenia

About 18% of workers in the U.S. report having a mental health condition in any
given month. This means that psychiatric disability is one of the most common

types of disability covered under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
(Source: ADA Fact Sheet)

Spaces at MIL

A quality workspace design leads to a less stressful and Another tip is to create a personalized on-boarding plan
more productive atmosphere. It’s essential that teams for each employee. This can include such items as:
take the physical work environment of their employees » Your goals for the employee’s first 30, 60, and 90 days
into consideration. Employees need to feel comfortable
and calm in their physical work settings to produce their » An outline of the tasks you expect them to own or
best work. While many employees are remote, we still take over
have a significant number of employees still coming into » Any relevant documents or links
the office both full and part-time. » Any meetings they’re expected to attend in their first

If on-site, the first stop most new employees make when few weeks or regularly
they arrive is their cubicle/office. Supervisors should » Names and contact information of team members
ensure that the workplace is ready for them, with all
their equipment prepared. A nice touch might be a card This package will be the person’s life raft as they get
welcoming them to the team. situated in their new role.
Some departments at MIL send out a welcome Finally, another way to relieve stress for new employees
email introducing the new employee, in addition to is to send them an email prior to their first day. Sending
introducing them to those in the office. During the first an email before they start to convey how happy you
team meeting, ask the new hire to say a few words about are that they’re joining the team can make a new staff
their background. If it’s a virtual meeting, make sure member that much more excited about their new
cameras are on so that the new employees can put a face adventure. You can also cover important items such as
with the name/voice. arrival time, dress code, and an agenda for their first day.

Did you know?

Charleston team members receive their MIL swag bag in their
cubby on their first day! Other locations send MIL merch to the
new employee’s home address within the first two weeks.