Mental Health Options are Key for Employees
Date Posted: June 3, 2021
Posted In: Discussion, Workforce,
From St. Louis Business Journal: The last year has brought a series of mental and physical challenges for employees in all industries. For some, working from home has blurred the lines of being on and off the clock, causing fatigue and stress. Others have tragically grappled with the loss of loved ones throughout the public health crisis.
According to the Mental Health Index, which provides a monthly measure of the current mental health status of employed adults, February marked the 11th consecutive month of diminished mental health among Americans. With this in mind, St. Louis businesses, including McCarthy Building Cos. and CannonDesign, made adjustments to improve mental health and wellness in their workplaces.
In 2010, McCarthy launched the Build for Life Program. Through a partnership with a third-party online wellness portal Vitality, employees of the $4.65 billion general contractor and their families can develop personalized wellness plans and receive premium reductions and other rewards for participating in educational sessions, practicing wellness-centered activities, and achieving personal goals.
“Mental health has always been part of McCarthy’s overall wellness strategy, but the pandemic underscored the need to make mental health awareness and acceptance a central focus, especially on job sites,” Scott Wittkop, president and chief operations officer said.
McCarthy, which has about 4,800 employees, is providing training for managers and employees, developing an evidence-based mental health crisis response system and sharing expertise and resources with a number of other national construction companies.