Mental Note: Mental wellness creates opportunities for employers

Mental health has become ever present in today’s conversations both within and outside of the workplace.

Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Federal data show nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness, and a large majority of workers – 8 in 10 – are seeking workplaces that offer mental health support, according to a survey of employees from the American Psychological Association. The 2022 Work and Well-being Survey, which sampled 2,000 working adults in the spring, also found that 71% believe their employer is more concerned about the mental health of employees now than before the pandemic. The kicker is that 39% of employees say their workplace environment has had a negative impact on their mental health.

Its importance is growing in public awareness and professional adaptation, according to local company representatives – and it’s creating opportunities for business services to offer care.

Danny Collins, co-founder of 37 North Expeditions, said he and his crew are taking executive teams on outdoor adventures throughout the Ozarks for the purpose of bettering mental health and improving overall wellness. The 5-year-old company guides groups on outdoor experiences – think hiking, biking and paddling trips – to foster social interactions, physical activity and outdoor education. But recently, Collins has added a corporate wellness segment to the business.

“These outdoor-focused programs not only benefit the health of the employee, but they also create more engaged workers and help with issues that employers are facing such as employee retention and attraction,” Collins said via email.

Outdoors revival
For these executive leadership and management teams, the activities break the daily norm of corporate culture by getting outdoors and seeking reprieve for their mental health and that of their colleagues.

The crew at 37 North Expeditions has teamed up with a variety of local companies – most recently leading a day of kayaking on the Niangua River and Lake of the Ozarks for Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. These excursions range in prices anywhere from $30 to $100 per person and up.

A connection with leadership at CoxHealth started in 2021 amid a COVID-19 pandemic surge. Teresa Coyan, vice president of public affairs at CoxHealth, said the business relationship with 37 North Expeditions now involves monthly excursions as well as on-site opportunities for employees.

CoxHealth employees also have discounted rates for other activities led by Collins and company in order to further benefit and bring reprieve to the mental well-being of the staff. Additionally, 37 North Expeditions has teamed with accounting firm FORVIS LLP to boost mental morale.

Staff members this summer spent a half day at Two Rivers Bike Park – choosing from multiple adventures including kayaking, mountain biking or a nature walk – and then played yard games and listened to music by Shaun Munday.

“It was a great change of pace and scenery to enjoy new activities with my co-workers,” said Jacob Watson, a marketing manager at FORVIS, in a provided statement. “37 North provided everything needed and planned out multiple activities to choose from. I enjoyed the day and returned to work the following workday feeling refreshed and even more connected with my co-workers. From that trip alone, it inspired me to take another float trip with friends to enjoy the outdoors and unwind.”

Mental health days
Not only are outdoor excursions available and growing, but companies are starting to incorporate more mental health days for employees to utilize as a day off, like a sick day, to recuperate and reset from the daily grind.

At Show Me Christian County, the nonprofit business resource group has begun implementing one health day per month for each of its four employees.

President and CEO Kristen Haseltine said the benefit is in addition to traditional paid-time off, and the staff has found it both rewarding and encouraging.

“We call them health days. Health day benefits are earned on a prorated basis of one day per month for full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment,” Haseltine said via email.

Those eight hours paid can be utilized for mental or physical health purposes, Haseltine said, adding she believes the perk shows the organization is invested in holistic employee health. Additionally, she notes the healing time off can assist productivity and efficiency in the office.

Springfield Public Schools has also taken an interest in the importance of the mental health of its students, faculty and staff. Last year, SPS officials provided staff with a designated mental health day in October for them to recuperate and focus on wellness.

“Youth mental health first-aid training is also available to staff four times per year,” SPS Superintendent Grenita Lathan added via email.

The combined training of and caring for their staff and students promotes a more balanced environment for mental well-being throughout the school district, Lathan said.

“As we move forward, SPS remains committed to assessing the unique needs of our entire team and will remain focused on proactive support and appropriate responsiveness,” she said.