DEAR EDITOR:

As May’s Mental Health Awareness Month ends, this is to emphasize the importance of carrying awareness the rest of the year.

According to Mental Health America, at 23.64 percent, Ohio has the fourth-highest percentage of adults with mental illness in 2022. At 6.09 percent, it has the third-highest percentage of adults with serious suicidal thoughts.

Nearly 1 in 4 of your friends, colleagues, family and neighbors struggles with mental health. It’s crucial to understanding the severity of this crisis here.

Mental health affects every aspect of life — mood, behavior, relationships, interests and physical health. How can we help, specifically as workforce leaders? Here are helpful resources in both professional and personal contexts.

Ohio Department of Insurance released a Mental Health in the Workplace Employer Toolkit promoting mental health in the workplace by equipping employers and employees with the proper tools to navigate this fight. It explains mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it, as well as how to combat that stigma.

We are living in a tough time. There is no shame in experiencing mental health struggles. Ohio has great people dedicated to creating resources we can utilize to help support employees, friends and families, and we should take advantage when the need arises.

STEVE STIVERS

President & CEO

Ohio Chamber

of Commerce