Child & Adolescent Mental Health Issues in the Workplace
By Elaine Boltz, CEAP, CLL, eboltz@lifemanagement.cc

Most employers are aware that personal issues can impact an employee's work performance.  But are you aware of the impact of child and adolescent mental health issues on the organization's bottom line?  Mental health issues are prevalent and can affect children and adolescents as well as adults. Common mental health issues for children and adolescents are anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, child abuse, substance abuse, and suicidality.

Research shows that 10% of children and adolescents in the United States experience significant impairment of their day-to-day lives due to serious mental health issues or emotional disorders.  However, a variety of treatment options such as psychotherapy, behavioral interventions, and medications are effective. (Mental Health:  A Report of the Surgeon General, 1999).

Not only do these children have higher health care costs but they also impact the workplace of their caregivers in other ways.  Since these children may miss more days of schools than other children, their working caregivers have a higher rate of absenteeism and decreased productivity.  Concern for these children can take a toll emotionally, physically and financially on caregivers.  Caregivers may neglect their own well-being by smoking, being less physically active and having an increased use of medication.  The workplace can also be impacted by increased health care costs for their employed caregivers who may have more anxiety and depression of their own.

One of the main concerns for employed caregivers is having a good work-life balance as well as support in the workplace.  Working caregivers find less support from supervisors and co-workers when they need time off work for child mental health issues as opposed to time off for child medical issues.

Here are some workplace recommendations to assist employed caregivers:

• Provide flexible leave policies to allow employees to get their child to treatment.
• Provide flexible work schedules to allow employed parents to maintain their income while still meeting the needs of their child.
• Provide an EAP program which includes a variety of resources:
  - Assessment / treatment for child / adolescent mental health issues
  - Family counseling
  - Counseling for caregivers
  - Clinical expertise in child / adolescent issues
  - Community resource referrals
• Supportive workplace:
  - Promote support for medical and mental health issues
  - Encourage early diagnosis / treatment
  - Encourage a total mind / body wellness focus

Organizations can increase productivity and their bottom line by not only addressing the mental health needs of their employees but of their children as well.  By providing mental health resources to your employees' children and adolescents, you are not only helping them with the current issues, but you are helping the workforce of the future.  Mental health resources provide a win-win for all.

Reference:  www.businessgrouphealth.org "An Employer's Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health" March 2009.
www.mentalhealthamerica.net - Mental Health America:  Improving the Mental Health and Well-being of America's Children:  A Report of the Surgeon General, 1999

Elaine Boltz, B.A., is the Employee Assistance Services Account Executive at Life Management Associates.  Contact Elaine at 717.394.6688 / 800.327.7770 or email eboltz@lifemanagement.cc