Mental Health in Workplace Integral to Business Success, CEOs Say

Corporate leaders met in New York in June to discuss the importance of mental health in the workplace and why there was a business case for ensuring that it is positive.

The event may reflect a growing awareness among leaders of American business that businesses and organizations that support the mental well-being of employees function better.

The fact that corporate presidents and CEOs were represented around the table was an indication that concern for workers’ health has moved beyond the level of human relations or benefits managers, said Clare Miller, director of the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health at the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, which helped facilitate the meeting.

The event was held at Deutsche Bank’s New York headquarters in Manhattan, co-hosted by the Foundation, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York, and the Northeast Business Group on Health.

“This meeting was a perfect illustration of the reality that mental health and substance use disorders affect every part of our society, including the workplace,” said Herbert Kleber, M.D., a professor of psychiatry and founder/director emeritus of Columbia University’s Division on Substance Abuse. “It was gratifying to be able to represent the APA at an event with CEOs to advance our mutual interest in health and productivity.”

Peter Hancock, president and CEO of insurance giant AIG, led the discussion, joined by Kathy Wylde, president for the Partnership for New York City, and New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray.

Mental health should be considered an important workplace issue, noted Wylde. “Mental illness accounts for 30 percent of disability costs and up to $100 billion a year in lost worker productivity.”

Company leaders can understand those financial costs, but their concerns about mental health should also go beyond health care dollars.

“CEOs want to establish workplace cultures the support mental health,” APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., told Psychiatric News. “Important steps in that direction include reducing stigma by talking about mental health and mental illness and providing employees with true access to quality care.”

“As a CEO, I understand that the success of my company depends on the performance of employees, and work performance is inextricably linked to mental and physical health,” said Byron Boston, president, CEO, and co-CIO of Dynex Capital Inc. “This is about being a good leader, and it’s also why we invest in our employees and their mental health.” ■