Strategies

Mental health affects every individual, family, workplace and community. Yet stigma, lack of awareness, workforce shortages and barriers to care continue to prevent many people from getting the support they need. Through education, training, community engagement and strategic partnerships, efforts are focused on creating a culture where mental health is openly discussed, help is accessible, and individuals are empowered to support themselves and others. Key initiatives include reducing stigma through the iMatter Anti-Stigma Campaign, expanding Mental Health First Aid training opportunities, strengthening workplace mental health programs, supporting youth and schools, and developing the future mental health workforce. Together, these efforts aim to improve mental well-being, increase access to care, and build healthier, more resilient communities across the region.

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• Advance Anti-Stigma and Community Culture
• Expand Workplace Mental Health Programs Strategy
• Expand Youth Mental Health Programs
• Enhance Mental Health Provider Access

Rationale

Employers are in a unique position to educate and support employee mental health regardless of demographics, environments or experiences. Mental illness costs employers through direct health care costs and indirect costs such as loss of productivity, absenteeism and disability costs. We engage with business groups and employers to support employees and those who are more at-risk for mental illness so individuals can access quality care. To learn more about the Fisher Contracting Company Workplace Mental Health Program, click the following link to download An Owner's Guide to Implementing a Workplace Mental Health Program which was built working with the Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Partnership and by using the APA Working Well Toolkit.

Actions and purpose

Facilitating workplace mental health assessments

• We assist employers to evaluate the effectiveness of their current workplace mental health programs and begin to make proactive changes to support employees.
• A Workplace Mental Health Assessment Tool (reformatted and adapted by the Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Partnership from the APA Working Well Toolkit, June 2016)

Developing goals and strategies to implement change

• We help employers set goals and strategies including creating tactics for implementation, assigning responsibilities, gathering resources, implementing timelines and reviewing and refining their programs on an annual basis.

Transforming workplace culture

• We support employers so they can begin transforming their workplace mental health culture by utilizing anti-stigma campaigns and creating an environment where it is ok to ask for help.

• An example Workplace Mental Health Kickoff Presentation from Fisher Contracting

Implementing workplace mental health trainings

• We work with employers to implement trainings, such as Mental Health First Aid, where participants take a skills-based training course that teaches employees to identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance-use challenges
• Workplace Mental Health First Aid Resource
• Mental Health First Aid Training Interest Form

Assessing benefits to improve access

• We collaborate with employers to review their current benefits, such as insurance coverage and/or employee assistance programs, and strive to create equitable coverage between mental health and physical health care.  

 Review current wellness strategies

• We consult with employers to work with their employees to make proactive changes to their wellness strategies to improve and promote health and well-being.

Are you interested in learning more? 

We are here to help you support your employees.

Rates for workshops, presentations, consultations and trainings are negotiable. To inquire for more information, please contact Dallas Rau: rau1d@cmich.edu.

Expand Youth Mental Health Programs

Globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group.

Depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those aged 15–29 years old.

The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.

Rationale

Youth and adolescence is a time of critical change and development, and the time when mental health challenges may first emerge. Those challenges may be the cause for behavioral concerns, falling grades, problems with close relationships and substance use.

Who should know mental health first aid?

• Teens
• Teachers
• School Staff
• Coaches
• Camp Counselors
• Youth Group Leaders
• Parents
• Adults who Work with Youth

Actions and purpose

Implementing youth mental health trainings

• What is Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)?
• YMHFA is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. YMHFA is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders​
• We work with schools and youth-serving organizations to implement YMHFA, where participants take a skills-based training course that teaches them to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health and substance-use challenges for youth, ages 12-18
• Youth Mental Health First Aid Informational Flyer
• Mental Health First Aid Training Interest Form

Implementing teen mental health trainings

• What is teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA)?
  • Build a powerful community of teens ages 14-18 by teaching them how to support a friend or classmate with the evidence-based teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) course. Adolescence is a time of critical change and development. It’s when mental health challenges may first emerge and may be the cause for falling grades, problems with close relationships and substance use. Young people will be prepared to provide support for their peers as well as better cope with mental health challenges themselves. tMHFA was brought to the United States by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in partnership with Born This Way Foundation, and is tailored to the unique experiences and needs of young people. Its plain language ensures learners at all reading levels can easily follow along
  • We work with schools and youth-serving organizations to implement tMHFA, where participants take a skills-based training course that teaches teens how to identify, understand and respond to a friend who may be experiencing a mental health and/or substance-use challenge
• Teen Mental Health First Aid Informational Flyer
• Mental Health First Aid Training Interest Form​​​
• tMHFA Site Requirements
• Teen Mental Health First Aid and Why It Matters

Are you interested in learning more? 

We are here to help support the youth and teens you serve!

Rates for training, presentations and consultations may be negotiable. To inquire for more information, please contact Dallas Rau: rau1d@cmich.edu

Enhance Mental Health Provider Access

Rationale

A shortage of mental health providers and increased wait times cause delays for mental health care which means those seeking help cannot get it when they need it most.  We work with higher education institutions and K-12 schools to help address the mental health provider shortage through talent development. Additionally, mental health providers are seeking collaborative educational, networking, wellness, and resource-sharing opportunities to improve their own well-being and become stronger and more accessible providers themselves. We engage with traditional and non-traditional mental health provider organizations, providers themselves, higher education and K-12 schools to enhance access to mental health care. 

Actions and purpose

Provide wellness resources for mental health providers

• Mental health professionals intuitively know how to initiate positive change, but it can be a greater challenge to gracefully take one’s own advice; Mentally healthy providers in turn provide more quality care.
• Resources are available on Mental Health Provider Wellness
  

Host networking events for wellness and community building

• Connecting with others can protect against mental health challenges; Having a network of people to talk to about work challenges and being able to share coping strategies can improve mental health because you realize you are not alone.
• Organize annual regional mental health summits
• An annual mental health summit for the region will provide opportunities to earn CEUs, participate in trainings, share resources, earn recognition, and bring people who are passionate about mental health together.

Collaborate with higher education institutions and K-12 Schools for talent development 

• Collaborating with higher education institutions that develop mental health providers and teaching students in K-12 schools the mental health careers that are available will provide opportunities to identify and address mental health provider licensure gaps and shortages across the region.