As the pandemic persists, we are all faced with hazards to our physical and mental health not only from the virus, but also from the effects of physical distancing, financial strain, and social unrest. Organizations around the country are recognizing the negative effects that stress has on workers who are wrestling with everything: from isolation and loneliness, injuries inflicted by injustice, chronic condition management, to parenting challenges while working, just to name a few – and most of us are dealing with multiple issues at once. It’s no wonder we are hurting.

Each September, we formally recognize the importance of mental health and suicide prevention by observing National Suicide Prevention Month. Now more than ever, we can all support mental health, eliminate barriers to accessing help, and reduce stigmas in part, through sharing resource information and training.

The Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences and the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center are working in partnership with local and regional groups to help organizations support their employees’ well-being through all of the current challenges. We are actively involved with the Oregon Construction Workers Suicide Prevention Taskforce, local Employee Assistance Program (EAP) groups and many others to address these issues and create mechanisms to improve the safety, health and well-being of workers and community members.

Do you want to create a workplace that fosters mental health and well-being, but don’t know where to begin? Check out the resources below to help you get started:

FREE downloadable brochures and materials:

Materials about Suicide Prevention from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Posters, Infographics and Mental Health Statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Trainings:

List of Trainings (many are FREE) from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Pandemic Response Training for  Managers and Supervisors (10-min)

Safe Actions for Employee Returns (SAFER), American Society for Safety  Professionals (handbook)

Psychological First Aid : Part 1 (24 min)

Psychological First Aid : Part 2 (28 min)

Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace: Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences 2017 Fall Symposia

Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT)

Veteran Supportive Supervisor Training:  Promoting strategies to support Veteran workers (1-hour)

Finding well-being in writing