Society has come a long way in how we perceive and discuss mental health, but there is still much progress to be made — especially in the workplace. Despite the stigma surrounding mental health issues, data shows these conditions are extremely common. In 2016, nearly a quarter (23.2%) of American adults struggled with some sort of behavioral health condition. Some survey data points to generational differences in how Americans approach mental health issues, but the trends suggest encouraging progress for the future. According to a recent survey from the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC), 83.5% of Generation Y and Millennials are more willing to discuss mental health, and 54% believe mental health is treatable and/or manageable. Related: Suicide prevention in the workplace |

Supporting your employees

Recently, Standard Insurance Company partnered with the DMEC to develop a resource for employers to support employees living with behavioral health conditions, including mental health and addiciton. The result was a whitepaper: "Managing Optimal Work Performance Through Behavioral Health Conditions," which focuses on the cycle of how behavioral health conditions progress and how to provide employees with the right resources and assistance. DMEC representatives say the white paper was specifically created to help prepare employers to handle employees' behavioral health conditions and create an open and supportive workplace. "Understanding symptoms and ways to provide assistance can go far to help employees get back on their feet. Not only that, but creating a supportive workplace approach can also help employers avoid workplace challenges such as lost productivity, on-the-job accidents and low morale, and even reduce overall health care costs," Dr. Dan Jolivet, Workplace Possibilities practice consultant at The Standard explained in a statement. In the slideshow above are five ways employers can provide supportive and appropriate assistance to employees struggling with mental health and substance abuse. For more information, read The Standard and DMEC's whitepaper, "Managing Optimal Work Performance Through Behavioral Health Conditions." Related: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Suffering in silence