EARN’s Mental Health Toolkit

Not all disabilities are visible to the eye. Among those that are often non-apparent are mental health conditions. One in five American adults experiences a mental health condition each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For many of these individuals, work is a key part of their health and identity, contributing to their sense of purpose and wellbeing.

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) created its Mental Health Toolkit to help employers understand the importance of fostering a mental health-friendly work culture. Such practices benefit employees, demonstrating a business’s commitment to inclusion and offering workers the support they need to meet their mental health needs. However, they also benefit employers by empowering employees to deliver their best on the job.

EARN’s Mental Health Toolkit is a gateway to background, tools and resources that can help employers learn more about mental health issues and cultivate a welcoming and supportive work environment for employees who may be facing mental health issues. It presents an easy-to-follow framework for fostering a mental health-friendly workplace, all built around the “4 A’s”: Awareness, Accommodations, Assistance and Access.

The Toolkit also contains examples of successful mental health and wellness initiatives from various businesses and resources where employers can find more information on mental health in the workplace.

EARN is a free resource that supports employers in their efforts to recruit, hire, retain and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and empowers organizations to become leaders in the employment of people with disabilities.