Why does it sometimes seem awkward to acknowledge a colleague we see coping with a mental health issue? If we hear someone sneeze, we automatically respond with a “bless you” or a “Gesundheit” and possibly offer a tissue. Societally, we don’t really have an automatic practice of acknowledging and offering support for someone experiencing a mental health issue. Our hesitation is often due to an uncertainty of how to engage someone.

When we address mental health issues in the workplace, we can have a profound impact on decreasing health risks and suicide while creating a psychologically safer work environment and support help-seeking behaviors. The Ohio State University Employee Assistance Program (EAP) welcomes you to participate in a Mental Health Awareness Workshop. In these workshops, we strive to increase understanding of the signs and symptoms of mental health difficulties, develop more confidence in engaging colleagues and staff with these struggles, and review available supports and resources.

The virtual Mental Health Awareness Workshops are interactive, collaborative, and encourage discussion (please note they are not recorded). The Ohio State EAP provides two workshop types: one for staff (90 minutes) and one for managers (120 minutes; the manager workshop includes additional managerial supports).

To register for a 2024 Mental Health Awareness Workshop, go to Link to Health and search EAP Workshop. If you are interested in scheduling a Mental Health Awareness Workshop for your department, please email us at eap@osumc.edu.