Mental illness has been a long-avoided topic in the workplace. But as rates of suicide, substance abuse, anxiety and depression increase, more employers are making these issues a top priority.
In fact, 57 percent of employers plan to increase their focus on mental and behavioral health to a great or “very great extent” over the next three years, according to a recent survey by Willis Towers Watson. Those surveyed rank mental illness alongside metabolic syndrome, diabetes and musculoskeletal disorders as top areas of concern. These are chronic conditions that require ongoing treatment, which drive up costs and contribute to lost productivity.
