In recognition of 2022 Mental Health Awareness Month, highly acclaimed Mental Health Expert Steve Crimando returned by popular demand. He addressed the importance of the mental health of our workforce and best practices for opening up the discussion about mental health and creating a positive workplace.
The virtual program was held on Friday, May 20, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The program provided perspective on having survived the trauma of a global pandemic. Many people felt “over” the pandemic but the pandemic was far from over for many if not most. The reality is that society hasn’t returned to the “pre-pandemic” normal. Normalcy in both our personal and professional lives is far removed from present reality. The global news brings added pressures from the war in the Ukraine, higher fuel and food prices and mass shootings. Each of these events can affect worker outlook as they are added to the pressures of daily living. In addition to the general effects of the pandemic, Connecticut employers are facing record worker shortages with over 100,000 open positions, creating the need for creative solutions for retaining our present workers who are being lured away by other opportunities including the opportunity to resign or retire.
Each of these factors make it more important than ever for employers to recognize the importance of the mental health of our workers. Working age people spend the majority of their waking hours at work and as employers, we have the opportunity to create positive and responsive workplaces which will help us retain and attract workers. It is vital that we recognize the need for supporting not only the physical health of our employees, but also their mental health. Steve Crimando provided insights and best practices to help:
- Understand the nature of the ongoing trauma caused by the pandemic and other global events and their effect on our workers health, productivity and happiness
- Understand how we can address worker concerns caused by both global and personal events and make worker mental health a top priority
- Learn how to support the mental health of workers in a manner which eliminates the stigma surrounding mental health disabilities
- Recognize the signs of trauma in the workplace
- Utilize best practices for recognizing and addressing a mental health emergency in the workplace