EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine August 2020 | Page 10

MENTAL
HEALTH
IN THE
Workplace
by Aaron London
Keeping on top of the bottom line is second nature for
business owners any time, especially during periods of
economic uncertainty. And that means company managers
are constantly on the lookout for ways to maximize profits and
contain costs.
While operational efficiencies and controlling spending are often
at the top of the list, creative companies also understand that a healthy
and engaged workforce can not only increase productivity but can
also add to that bottom line. And one area where those efforts can
literally pay dividends is in employee mental health.
According to the World Health Organization, for every dollar
put into services for common mental health disorders –
anxiety, stress, personal relationships – there is a return on
investment of $4 in improved health and productivity.
But while a lot of companies routinely provide health
benefits to deal with physical issues, wellness
programs that include mental health services for
employees have not always been at the forefront of
corporate thinking.
But that is changing, according
to Russell Holloway, executive
director and co-founder of Open
Doors, a mental health provider
with four locations in Volusia
County.
Russell Holloway
“I think what really
kicked the door down and made it acceptable
was more and more soldiers returning from
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