EAP PLUS & YOU
PROVIDING A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE
MAY 2021
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being. Did you know that...

  • Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year.
  • 46 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people will develop conditions by the age of 14.

Some other statistics include:

OVERALL
  • Number of US Adults with Mental Illness: 44 million
  • Percent of US Adults with Mental Illness: 18%

Anxiety
  • Lifetime prevalence of any Anxiety Disorder: 31.6%
  • Number of US Adults with Anxiety Disorders: 42.5 million 
  • Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in America

Addiction/Substance Use Disorder
  • Percent of US Adults with a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 8% 
  • Number of US Adults with a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 19 million
  • Percent of Youth with a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 4.6% 
  • Number of Youth with a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 1.1 million 

Bipolar Disorder
  • Past year prevalence of Bipolar Disorder: 1.8% 
  • Number of US Adults with Bipolar Disorder: 3.3 million
  • An estimated 2.5% of US adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives. 

Depression
  • Percent of US Adults with Major Depression: 7.1% 
  • Number of US Adults with Depression: 17.3 million 
  • Percent of Youth (aged 12-17) with Major Depression: 13% 
  • Number of Youth (aged 12-17) with Major Depression: 3.1 million 
  • Percent of Youth with Severe Depression: 9% 
  • Number of Youth with Severe Depression: 2 million 
  • Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Percent of People (ages 13+) in US with PTSD (Lifetime prevalence): 5.7%
  • Percent of People (ages 13+) in US with PTSD (One year prevalence): 3.7% 
  • Number of US Adults with PTSD: 12 million 

Schizophrenia
  • Percent of US Adults with Schizophrenia: less than 1%
  • Number of US Adults with Schizophrenia: 1.5 million

Suicidal Thoughts
  • Percent of US Adults with Suicidal Thoughts: 4% 
  • Number of US Adults with Suicidal Thoughts: 9.8 million

TREATMENT
  • Percent of adults with mental illness who did not receive treatment: 56%
  • Number of adults with mental illness who did not receive treatment: 24.6 million 

Source: Mental Health America

There are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency.

It’s important to accept the situations in life that we cannot change, actively work to process the mental struggles associated with big changes, manage anger and frustration, recognize when trauma may be affecting your mental health, challenge negative thinking patterns, and make time to take care of yourself.

Seeking professional help when self-help efforts to improve your mental health aren’t working is a sign of strength, not weakness.

EAP PLUS+ IS AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES AND THEIR ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS.

HELP IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY, 937-293-4525
EAT BREAKFAST EVERY DAY
Eating a nutritious breakfast is a great way to jump-start the day!

Eating a healthy breakfast can also keep your cholesterol in check, make your body more responsive to insulin (and so help protect against type 2 diabetes), improve your performance on memory-related tasks, minimize impulse snacking and overeating at other meals, and boost your intake of essential nutrients — and may also help keep your weight in check.

Source: Harvard Health Publishing

BUILD PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTO YOUR ROUTINE
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. The good news is that you can lower your risk of heart disease or having a stroke by simply moving more.

As little as 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity helps your heart. Being active can protect your heart, improve blood flow, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, give you more stamina, and improve your ability to cope with stress. If you’re inactive, you’re nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease.

Ways to Move More

Have 10 minutes? Consider:

  • Walking briskly for 5 minutes, turning around and walking back
  • Dancing to three songs
  • Ride around the block on your bike

You’ll know you’re moving enough to help your heart if
  • Your heart is beating faster
  • You’re breathing harder
  • You break a sweat

Need Motivation to be active?
  • Consider exercising with a friend or family member.
  • Pursue an activity you love.
  • Build activities into your day. For example, take a walk during lunch, go for a walk or bike ride before dinner, use a workout game on your gaming console or do strength exercises while watching TV.

Source: Hearttruth.gov
Meet your new EAP Manager!

Mary Jane Kocian-Figueroa, Psy.D., MPH
Feel free to reach out to Mary Jane directly with any questions or needs at 937-528-3176. We care about your company's well-being and that of your employees.
Information in this newsletter is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to
replace the counsel or advice of a qualified health or legal professional.
937-293-4525
EAPplus@southcommunity.com