Workplace mental health screening should be implemented with sensitivity, respect for privacy, and a focus on providing supportive resources to employees. Organizations can create a healthier and more productive work environment by fostering a culture that prioritizes mental health and well-being.
In this podcast, I speak with Maggie Mortali, Vice President, Programs and Workplace Initiatives, at American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, about how workplaces can encourage mental health self-care by giving workers an opportunity to screen themselves for common mental health challenges. Maggie’s three takeaways:
Confidentiality is key: Workplace mental health screening should prioritize confidentiality and privacy to create a safe and trusted environment for employees.
Voluntary participation promotes respect: Mental health screening in the workplace should always be voluntary, providing employees the freedom to choose whether they want to participate in the screening process. This approach promotes a culture of respect and supports employees' autonomy in managing their mental health.
Be a bridge to resources: Workplace mental health screening should not be seen as an isolated event but as part of a larger mental health support system. It's crucial to have a well-defined plan for supportive follow-up after screening, including access to appropriate resources and interventions for those identified with mental health concerns. The goal is to ensure that employees receive the necessary support and are connected to appropriate resources to address their mental health needs.
About Maggie Mortali
Since joining the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in 2011, Maggie Mortali established and now leads a department dedicated to AFSP’s workplace initiatives, including the groundbreaking Interactive Screening Program (ISP), an online assessment tool that connects users to the appropriate mental health services. With over a decade of experience in the suicide prevention field, Ms. Mortali is a recognized thought leader in the use of internet-based technologies to reach at-risk populations who are resistant to seeking help.
In her role as Senior Program Director, she has cultivated partnerships with large public and private sector employers, institutions of higher education institutions and service agencies to enhance their mental health services and suicide prevention efforts. In addition to the ISP, she has also been a significant contributor to the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention.
Maggie recognizes the critical need for proactive mental health support in workplaces. By utilizing interactive screening tools, Maggie ensures that individuals at risk receive the support they need, reducing the bias associated with mental health challenges.
Show Notes
About the Interactive Screening Program
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Interactive Screening Program. https://afsp.org/our-work/interactive-screening-program/
Interactive Screening Program for Employee Assistance Programs. www.afsp.org/ispforeaps
Mortali, M., & Moutier, C. (2018). Facilitating help-seeking behavior among medical trainees and physicians using the interactive screening program. Journal of Medical Regulation, 104(2), 27-36.
Rizzo, L. H. (2018). Suicide among nurses: What we don't know might hurt us: Research, prevention programs, and open discussion are required to reduce nurse suicide. American Nurse Today, 13(10), 10-16.
Zisook, S., Doran, N., Downs, N., Lee, D., Nestsiarovich, A., & Davidson, J. E. (2022). Healthcare provider distress before and since Covid-19. General Hospital Psychiatry.
Zisook, S., Doran, N., Mortali, M., Hoffman, L., Downs, N., Davidson, J., ... & Moutier, C. Y. (2022). Relationship between burnout and Major Depressive Disorder in health professionals: A HEAR report. Journal of Affective Disorders, 312, 259-267.
About Workplace Suicide Prevention
National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention: http://workplacesuicideprevention.com/
Moutier, C. Y., & Mortali, M. G. (2023). Risk Detection and Suicide Prevention in the Workplace. In Workplace Wellness: From Resiliency to Suicide Prevention and Grief Management: A Practical Guide to Supporting Healthcare Professionals (pp. 337-348). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Mortali, M. G., & Moutier, C. (2019). Suicide Prevention in the Workplace. Mental Health in the Workplace: Strategies and Tools to Optimize Outcomes, 145-159.