[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/06\/08\/resources-for-mental-health\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/06\/08\/resources-for-mental-health\/","headline":"If you’re not okay, it’s okay: Resources for mental and emotional health","name":"If you’re not okay, it’s okay: Resources for mental and emotional health","description":"It's hard to admit you're struggling, and difficult to know how to help someone who is, but there are resources and assistance available. ","datePublished":"2022-06-08","dateModified":"2024-06-14","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/jenn-vande-zande\/#Person","name":"Jenn Vande Zande","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/jenn-vande-zande\/","identifier":229,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef76ed873963201b65acc65a3cb353caa294225a4e9a8427f011077842dd955c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef76ed873963201b65acc65a3cb353caa294225a4e9a8427f011077842dd955c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Future of Commerce","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","width":172,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/mental-health-resources-FTR.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/mental-health-resources-FTR.jpeg","height":375,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/06\/08\/resources-for-mental-health\/","about":["COVID-19 and Business",{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/customer-experience\/","name":"Customer Experience","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Customer_experience","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q984142"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/customer-experience\/employee-engagement\/","name":"Employee Engagement","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Employee_engagement","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q14937678"]},"Employee Experience & Engagement",{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/purpose\/purpose-general\/","name":"Purpose","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Purpose"]},"Real Talk: Mental Health, Well-Being, and Laughter",{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/purpose\/thought-leadership\/","name":"Thought Leadership","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thought_leader"]}],"wordCount":772,"keywords":["Chief Wellbeing Officer","Employee Engagement","Employee Experience","Employee Mental Health","Health and Wellness","Leadership"],"articleBody":"According to Mental Health America, nearly 20% of adults in the US are experiencing a mental illness; nearly 5% are experiencing severe mental illness.The number of adults with serious suicidal thoughts in the US is more than 11 million, up 664,000 from last year, the organization said.Around the world, anxiety and depression jumped 25% during the pandemic, according to a report released by the World Health Organization in March. Social isolation fueled the increased mental health issues, which hit young people and women the most.      What’s a leader to do? 80% of employees cite feeling helpless                80% of employees feel helpless and like things are out of their control \u2014 underscoring the need for leadership that empowers them to take action.      Mental health awareness: More than just a monthAs Mental Health Awareness month closes, many are still in the same situation mentally and emotionally as they were at the beginning of May. With political, economic, environmental, and social stressors at peak levels, anxiety, depression, and burnout are rampant around the globe.Let’s be blunt: There’s a lot of frightening and overwhelming things going on, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Always-on news cycles make it almost impossible to take the time needed to process the grief, trauma, and emotions that come with each event or loss.Life is hard, period.Coupled with living through a pandemic and the societal changes since, lots of people report mental illness and the symptoms of it, which include feeling numb, alone, disengaged, and unhappy.      Back to normal? Not so fast: Employee burnout, grief, trauma is real                To support employees struggling with grief, trauma, and burnout as we head back into the office, there are some best practices to follow.      Signs of mental illness \u2013 including anxiety, which affects over 275 million adults \u2013 are wide-ranging, and can include:ConfusionExcessive fears or worryMood swingsFeeling sadWithdrawing from friends and familyInsomniaAlcohol or drug problemsExcessive hostility or angerFeeling restless, wound-up, or on-edgeHyperactivityFatigueDifficulty concentratingIrritabilityMuscle tensionWhile there’s always seems to be bad news readily available at our fingertips, there’s also support and help available 24\/7.The Crisis Text Line offers 24\/7 assistance to trained crisis counselors via text or What’sApp.It can also be difficult to know what to say or do to help someone experiencing emotional pain, so people tend to avoid discussing it \u2013 not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know how to help or what to say. There’s also great resources and information available to assist with this topic.The National Institute of Mental Health lists five steps to help someone in emotional pain:Ask if they’re suicidalKeep them safe by reducing their access to lethal itemsBe there by listening and acknowledging\/talking about suicideHelp them connect to resources and supportStay connectedIt’s okay if you don’t feel okay, and you’re not aloneIf you’re struggling to cope with how you’re feeling, the most important thing to know is that you’re not alone \u2013 help is closer than you may think in the worst of moments.The non-profit To Write Love On Her Arms lists the following 24\/7 hotlines and websites on their site:Crisis Text Line: Text TWLOHA to 741741National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (For hearing and speech impaired\u00a0with TTY equipment:\u00a0800-799-4889. Espa\u00f1ol:\u00a0888-628-9454)National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): 800-656-4673The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (Canada:\u00a0877-330-6366)Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 press 1      How to practice better self-care at work                Self-care at work is hugely beneficial \u2013 in an always-on world, it's more important than ever to practice the things that protect our emotional and mental health.      There are also federal resources and national organizations where you can find resources for mental health, including:MentalHealth.gov, which has resources for veterans, seniors, and young people.MentalHealth.com Emergency ResourcesSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationUS Department of Veterans Affairs resourcesMental Health America\u00a0Anxiety & Depression Association of America\u00a0National Alliance on Mental HealthRemember, mental health issues aren’t anything to be ashamed of \u2013 resources are available to help you anonymously if you’d like.And finally: Be kind. None of us truly knows what another is going through or carrying within themselves, but we can always try to choose compassion and empathy.  Work doesn’t work like it once did.Win, retain, and grow talent in a changing, competitive landscape. Real-life proof points \u2192HERE."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/\/06\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"If you’re not okay, it’s okay: Resources for mental and emotional health","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/06\/08\/resources-for-mental-health\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]