More and more employers are concerned about the effects stress, depression and workplace suicide prevention and the effect on their employees — and are, thank goodness, beefing up mental health benefits as a result, in an effort at suicide prevention. Often bringing in trainers in suicide prevention. conflict resolution and active shooter drills. Ultimately suicide prevention is the goal.

That’s according to new research, which found that workplace stress and depression or anxiety are the top workforce mental health concerns, published in Employee Benefit Advisor.

Of the employers the consulting firm surveyed, more than 50% said those issues are a huge concern for their companies, citing issues with productivity, absenteeism, presenteeism and healthcare costs.

Among larger organizations with 5,000 or more employees, a majority of those respondents said that employee depression and anxiety was a concern in their organization, compared to 28% of employers with fewer than 500 employees.

“A shift is occurring right now,” says Sandra Kuhn, principal of total health management at Mercer. “The delivery of behavioral health services is complicated and challenged with many issues, such as cost of care, inconsistent quality and standards, access to care, integration with medical and of course stigma.”

https://www.employeebenefitadviser.com/news/employers-zero-in-on-mental-health-benefits

Frank King, The Mental Health Comedian http://www.thementalhealthcomedian.com