214903 Employers' role in the early intervention of mental illness

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Anita Ruff, MPH, CHES , Maine Medical Center, Portland Identification and Early Referral Program, Portland, ME
Thomas Downing, MBA , Maine Medical Center, Lifeline Workplace Health Program, Falmouth, ME
William McFarlane, MD , Center for Psychiatric Research, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
     
The Portland Identification and Early Referral (PIER) Program, a mental health treatment research program in Portland, Maine, has developed a successful community outreach model for the identification of young people at risk for severe mental illness. Historically, PIER has focused its outreach efforts on educational and healthcare professionals but has recently expanded to include employers. Recognizing the complexities involved with employee mental health issues, the PIER Program and the Lifeline (Lifeline) Workplace Health Program developed an initiative to better understand and address this issue. Using a web-based survey and informational interviews with employers, the PIER Program and Lifeline have developed employer-specific outreach materials and communications, which address issues of confidentiality, absenteeism/presenteeism, healthcare costs, and employee benefits. This presentation will discuss the process and outcomes of this project.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the complex role of employers in employees’ mental health issues, describe the worksite mental health efforts of the Portland Identification and Early Referral Program. 2. Identify at least two mental health resources available for employers and employees.

Keywords: Mental Health, Worksite

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have extensive experience developing, implementing, and evaluating public health education programs, as well as coordinating activities of this nature.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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