Many of us have a friend or know someone who suffers from depression or anxiety, PTSD or some other mental illness or we may suffer from some issues ourselves. Of course we do not judge or condemn a person for mental illness any more than we do for physical illness. Instead we do the human thing; we see if there is some way we can help.
Can businesses such as AMS do something to help their employees deal with the reality of mental illness? Absolutely!! At AMS mental illness is destigmatized, and we are doing some things that we believe will help.
Mental Health First Aid Classes
One of the ways in which we feel we can help, is to offer a Mental Health First Aid class. AMS offers a number of classes to our employees that are not only free, but they are ‘paid’, taking place during work hours. We have been holding these classes for a number of years, in an arrangement with a local college. The following paragraph describes the Mental Health First Aid class:
Description: “Examines risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems and how to respond appropriately. Emphasis on mental health problems and crises for all individuals and environments with additional information on support and resources in the work environment. Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive a NCBH Mental Health First Aid Certificate.”
There are some excellent benefits to being trained in mental health first aid. Someone who is trained will be able to recognize early signs of a mental health issue and provide initial support. The trained individual will be able to offer a listening ear, provide basic emotional support, and help to find appropriate resources, such as the Employee Assistance Program.
Mental health first aid training in the workplace provides some vital benefits. First of all, it can increase employee well-being. We also see that it can reduce the stigma around mental health issues, and it can improve the trainee’s ability to identify concerns and support colleagues experiencing troubling issues. The bottom line is… mental health first aid training serves to create a more positive work environment.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? It is a free benefit that AMS offers our employees. EAP is a voluntary and confidential service that is designed to help employees address personal or work-related problems that may be affecting their well-being and performance. The AMS EAP provides services like short-term counseling, referrals to specialists, and other resources, such as financial or legal advice. The EAP is designed to be a confidential and safe space for employees and their family members to get support.
The services provided are listed as follows: #1 Short-term counseling which addresses issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship problems. #2 Referrals to connect employees to specialists like therapists, financial advisors, or legal professionals. #3 With some EAPs, such as the one AMS provides, services also extend to employees’ family members. #4 Wellness programs are offered, promoting overall health and well-being. Employees can typically access EAP services through phone, video, online, or in-person sessions.
Monthly Activities Committee
AMS employees have joined together to create an Activities Committee which is focused on creating a fun and engaging culture. We consider all employees ‘family’, and we accept people for who they are, emphasizing that none of us is worth more than another. Being “different” doesn’t mean that an individual is worth less. In fact, every one of us is unique and special. That’s the truth.
Every month the Committee aims to do something engaging, and most of the time, raising money for a non-profit. Some recent examples are as follows: #February, Direct Relief for CA fire victims. AMS employees sent a positive message fortune cookie to their coworkers raising $1,373. #March, Mismatched Socks Day wherein employees wore mismatched socks to bring awareness to World Down Syndrome Day, in support of the son of one of our employees. #April, annual employee egg hunt and Earth Day community cleanup. #May, annual luminaria fundraiser, raising over $910 towards the American Cancer Society.
Some Key Facts
We will conclude with some statistics from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing [LINK] below:
Despite progress in mental health initiatives, more than 30 million people in the U.S. still lack access to comprehensive, high-quality care. These statistics highlight the ongoing need for Mental Health Awareness Month and the importance of bringing attention to this disparity:
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.
1 in 6 U.S. youth have a mental health condition, but only half receive treatment.
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
In 2023, 20% of all high school students have seriously considered suicide.
Our Goal
At AMS our goal is to educate our employees and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness by encouraging conversation and fostering acceptance. We aim to highlight the importance of early intervention and access to treatment both in our Mental Health First Aid class and through the EAP, and by so doing, promote mental wellbeing and self-care practices for overall health.
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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.
