Mental Health in the Workplace! In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the importance of mental health has been widely discussed throughout the month of May, standing out not only as a concern for nonprofits, families or individuals, but also as a critical issue for employers. The significant impact that employers can have on mental health care was the focus of attention in the “Eye on KELOLAND” segment.
At Dakota Kitchen and Bath, where Tracey Ketchum serves as operations manager, the approach to the roughly 100 employees is marked by a family atmosphere. Ketchum highlights the importance of getting to know each employee well to understand when something is not going well. “Several times a day, we make rounds of the factory floor and offices, taking on the personal challenge of making sure everyone is well,” she reports.
In addition to closely monitoring employees’ well-being, there is ongoing investment to ensure they have easy access to assistance when needed. “Our employees have the freedom to communicate via text message, phone call or video call. They can schedule face-to-face meetings right here and we have dedicated spaces for these meetings,” explains Ketchum.
This initiative is part of the services offered by Well365, a company that provides more direct and effective mental health support to employers across the KELOLAND region and the country, moving beyond traditional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) models. Trisha Dohn, founder of Well365, emphasizes the importance of immediate access to assistance. “Being able to speak to someone the same day or the next makes all the difference for those seeking help. This significantly increases engagement and employers’ perception of the value of these services,” says Dohn.
In the past, Ketchum said, employees would have to contact a helpline and schedule an appointment that could take weeks. Faster and easier availability has drastically changed this scenario. “Before we saw three or four people seeking help in six months; now we see that number monthly”, she highlights.
Well365 has expanded its services, now having three full-time counselors serving employees throughout the region. Dohn stresses the mutual benefits of this approach: “Happy, healthy employees not only show up for work, they also produce more and do better.”
In addition, Well365 offers mental health training for managers and employees, enabling the entire team to recognize signs of difficulties among colleagues. Ketchum sees the program as a valuable tool in retaining employees in a competitive market.
Commitment to mental health in the workplace is an essential strategy for companies that seek not only the well-being of their employees but also superior business performance.
