Mental illness costs the economy approximately $200 billion annually. Normalizing conversations around mental health is becoming an increasingly important part of running a business, especially if you are in a leadership position.
According to Tampa Bay Thriver’s 2023 Resident Mental Health Survey, 14% of respondents (up 4% from the previous year) reported taking time off from work due to a mental or emotional condition, compared to the typical employee. Employees are absent from work four days a month. This equates to a loss of 524,500 working days per month, or 6.3 million working days per year, a significant increase from 2022.
Tampa Bay Thrives is the local chapter of Mental Health America (MHA), a national organization that promotes the mental health and well-being of all people living in the United States.
One of the pillars of Tampa Bay Prosperity focuses on workplace mental health through programs like MHA’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health.
“Studies show that when leaders feel comfortable talking about mental health, it helps staff. According to Employee Benefit News, 88% of employees feel more comfortable if their leaders are vulnerable and open about mental health. , they feel more comfortable recognizing their own needs,” said Carrie Zeiss, President and CEO of Tampa Bay Thrives. “There is a real role for leaders to play here, and a role for benefits and HR teams to consider as well.”
This year, Tampa Bay Thrives is partnering with businesses such as The Mosaic Company, Tampa Bay Crisis Center, Pinellas County Juvenile Services Commission, and Polk County Board of County Commissioners to guide you on the path to Belle Seal certification. Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health is a national recognition program that recognizes employers who are committed to creating a mentally healthy workplace.
The founding of Tampa Bay Thrives goes back to a group of community leaders who asked the question, “Why aren’t people getting better?”
With their support, the Tampa Bay Thrives began to take shape in 2018.
“Leaders at BayCare Health System have examined regional health assessment data and found that despite strong programs and significant investments in mental health, Tampa Bay residents continue to have high levels of “I realized that I was facing a lot of mental health pressure,” Zeiss said. “This forces them to first look inward and then outward to ask the question, ‘Why aren’t people getting better? What can we do to help our communities heal?’ became.”
BayCare brought together a group of leaders including Tampa General, Advent Health, HCA Healthcare, Florida Blue, Raymond James, Mosaic, local governments, school districts, public safety, and behavioral health providers to participate in a two-day An innovative way to plan and move forward.
“They looked at communities across the country that have been successful in creating mental health momentum and sought to understand what made those programs successful. They also assessed local landscapes to identify top priorities. We identified our needs and decided on an operating model for this new business,” Zeiss explains.
As a result, a separate 501c3 was established to serve as convener and thought partner. The organization, which would become Tampa Bay Thrives, would assess the landscape, increase access to services, reduce the challenges of navigating the system, and work with communities to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health care. It unites society.
Originally founded as the West Central Florida Mental Wellness Coalition, the first projects launched were the Let’s Talk Navigation Line and Immediate Care Access Program. The program has assisted more than 5,000 individuals with telephone-based support and referrals and provided direct connections to nearly 600 people with behavioral health emergencies. Care Appointments.
According to Zeiss, Tampa Bay Thrives currently engages more than 1,000 stakeholders, including youth, parents, teachers, and health care providers, in its efforts to understand and support children’s mental health, and by 2024. will convene stakeholders and leaders to develop a transformative approach.
“We are taking a flexible approach that supports existing programs and connects resources to provide a comprehensive framework for school-age children and the adults around them,” Zeiss says. “And because parents are affected by their children’s mental health issues, this approach requires CEOs, employers and business leaders to get on board with this effort.”
“May Mental Health Awareness Month is an important month for all of us. Tampa Bay landmarks like the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Old City Hall are lit up green, shining the color of mental health. We look forward to seeing pictures of the city glowing green in our social media posts to show our collective support,” she says.
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and we know that men are generally reluctant to talk about the issue. Tampa Bay Lightning Radio announcer Dave Mishkin wrote a book called “Blind Squirrel” that focused on this issue. We will be holding a special author talk on June 13th, and we look forward to your participation. ♦
