Take-Home Messages From Kansas City Depression Initiative
Here are some of the lessons learned so far from Kansas City's experience with its Community Initiative on Depression. They were discussed in March at the National Invitational Conference hosted by APA and the American Psychiatric Foundation's National Partnership for Workplace Mental Health in collaboration with the Mid-America Coalition on Health Care. The coalition launched the Kansas City depression initiative in 2000.
Collaboration works. But first you must find common ground among the stakeholders. Common ground was reached in Kansas City when employers, clinicians, and health plans recognized each had a stake in creating and supporting mentally healthy employees. | |||||
Although stigma about depression was not as great among employees as expected, education about mental illnesses was still needed at all levels in the community. | |||||
Not all employers respond to the same message. The “business case for mental health” may appeal to some; a more emotional, personal approach may appeal to others. Often, a combination of both works best. | |||||
Each work site is unique. No one set of programs or materials fits all employers, but providing materials that can be adapted to each worksite is useful to employers. | |||||
Conducting a survey of employee knowledge, attitudes, and receptivity to addressing depression in the workplace is a good first step and can suggest the range of projects employers might want to undertake. | |||||
APA has a vital role to play in identifying stakeholders, forging partnerships, providing clinical information, building the business case, and recommending solutions. | |||||
