Consideration of Employee Mental Health in Worksite Wellness Programs: Findings at a Large, Midwestern University

In 2013, in an effort to assess and enhance the health and well-being of its 17,000+ full-time employees, Indiana University (IU) conducted a Workplace Health and Wellness Survey.  This electronic survey was voluntary, anonymous, and modeled after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.  A response rate of 32% (n=5,523) was attained, and the data were weighted for representativeness of the employee population.  Upon analysis, mental health received notable attention, with observed rates of mental health issues often higher than reported state or national levels.  It was found that among full-time employees, a total of 22% had been diagnosed with a depressive disorder at some point in their lives.  In addition, 43% reported having at least one day with poor mental health in the past month.  Nearly one-half (49%) reported often or very often feeling “used up” at the end of the day in the past 30 days, and 20% reported stress affecting their health “a lot” in the past year.  Further, 40% reported inadequate social or emotional support.  Responses also showed that few perceived workplace support for managing stress, and many lacked awareness of existing resources.  A high level of interest for such resources was observed for employees overall, particularly among those reporting poor mental health.  The results of this survey show that employee mental health and well-being deserve focused attention in the development of worksite health and wellness programs, and as such have prompted action on the part of IU wellness committees.