James T. Yand, Miller Nash LLP

Long hours working and high stress deadlines can lead to burnout, depression, and substance abuse. A record 4.4 million workers quit their jobs in September 2021 as part of the “Great Resignation,” making it clear that to stay competitive and retain top talent, employers must make some crucial changes. Therefore, it is important for businesses to prioritize their employees’ mental health and to address these issues as they arise in customers and vendors relationships outside the organizations.

A number of trade organizations, such as the American Bar Association, have recognized the mental health crises and committed resources to help address the problem. What the ABA found, compared to the general population, lawyers are 3.6 times more likely to experience a major depressive episode. This finding came from the 2015 joint survey conducted by the American Bar Association and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Other alarming stats from the survey:

• Forty-five percent of lawyers have suffered from depression.
• Sixty-one percent of lawyers reported concerns about anxiety.
• Eleven percent of lawyers reported suicidal thoughts at some point in their careers.
• Thirty-two percent of lawyers under 30 are already problem drinkers.

In response, law firms took the ABA challenge seriously and started proactively providing more resources to their employees to assist in the battle for better mental health.

A number of solutions were developed to assist in this process to help address mental health. The goal was to build wellness into professional development rather than leaving it dependent on the individual to sort out.

Applications like “Calm” provide access to stress reduction programs, music, and instruction. Calm is the number one app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation. It helps the user to manage stress, balance moods, sleep better and refocus their attention, according to its marketing materials. Guided meditation, Sleep Stories, soundscapes, breathwork and stretching exercises fill out the extensive library for its users. It promises that you will feel better by reducing anxiety, prioritizing your self-care and by choosing a guided meditation session that fits within your busy schedule. It allows for the introduction of mindfulness and breathing exercises into the user’s daily routine so they can experience life-changing benefits. Users can practice self-healing and discover the happier self through the Calm experience. It is also an inexpensive way to provide support to employees without breaking the bank.

Other services are available to employers to help boost their employee assistance programs. For example, Spring Health gives its members access to programs that can be used at work or at home. Additionally, members can see a therapist in an average of just two days. In addition to therapy, members have access to comprehensive support including self-guided digital exercises, coaching, and more, to prevent and treat a range of conditions from sub-clinical concerns to high-acuity issues.

Another option is to provide webinars that specifically address mental health in the workplace and provide resources that employees can use to assist with these challenges as they come up.

Lastly, employers can increase the insurance coverage that provides mental health access. This ensures that no employee is left behind in the battle for a healthier and happier new year.

About the Author:

Jim T. Yand is a partner at  Miller Nash. Jim Yand’s practice focuses on resolving challenges involved in construction and property development. Jim has more than 30 years of experience resolving high-conflict cases that often determine the continued success of the client’s project or business. His representation across the construction chain also allows him to craft and litigate contract terms that achieve the most effective results. This work also extends to serving as outside counsel for various trade groups and advising on a range of business questions that arise. Jim is a frequent author and speaker on various construction industry topics.