Make It OK committee suggests psychological well being days, non-public areas
CEDAR RAPIDS — A Linn County panel dedicated to elevating consciousness of stigma surrounding psychological well being and sources for assist really helpful the county discover making adjustments to county employee advantages and enhancing communication about psychological well being to staff.
In 2021, the Linn County Board of Supervisors permitted making Linn County a registered Make It OK office, committing the county to lowering the stigma surrounding psychological well being and serving to folks get the assist they want. This motion has:
- Elevated Make It OK Ambassadors amongst county employees.
- Established a useful resource hub for worker psychological well being.
- Included Make It OK overview in new worker orientation.
- Added telehealth to the county’s Worker Help Program.
- Labored to supply non-public area in all buildings and departments.
“We focus a lot on bodily well being, however psychological well being is all the time on the sidelines,” Linn County Public Well being Director Pramod Dwivedi instructed the county Board of Supervisors final week. “Psychological well being can also be a public well being disaster and we must always deal with it as such.”
An annual worker survey guides the committee’s priorities. This was its third iteration. The survey, administered in January, acquired 224 complete responses — about 30 p.c of Linn County employees.
Consciousness of the Make It OK marketing campaign had elevated from 40.23 p.c in 2022 to 91.07 p.c in 2024, in line with outcomes. On the similar time, respondents largely reported data on psychological well being and understanding of accessing sources had elevated.
General, the outcomes indicated that survey respondents really feel like consciousness of psychological well being and sources has elevated.
“Consciousness is a place to begin for change,” stated Katie Reasner, the county Make It OK steering committee chair.
Based mostly on the suggestions from respondents, the committee really helpful the county discover further psychological well being or private days or extra paid day off typically. Different potentialities to enhance worker advantages had been extra psychological well being elements within the county wellness program and extra psychological well being protection on insurance coverage.
Anne Carter, the county’s well being fairness program supervisor, stated the suggestions on PTO was that it may be largely as much as every supervisor’s discretion, so the county might take a look at streamlining insurance policies or modifying communication surrounding psychological well being advantages. The panel additionally advised destigmatizing taking day off.
Selling crew constructing with countywide occasions, networking amongst departments and valuing employees enter additionally had been really helpful. There additionally ought to be coaching on coping expertise, the right way to assist folks with psychological sickness, recognizing indicators of suicide and speaking to employees about psychological well being.
On the prospect of personal area, Carter stated “not each division has area the place anyone can step away for a telehealth appointment or a personal dialog.” Extra devoted non-public area might assist staff keep away from the awkwardness of navigating that, she stated.
“It actually issues that individuals are actually capable of be weak and share that data with us or with you all as a result of they wish to make Linn County a greater place work,” Supervisor Chair Kirsten Working-Marquardt stated.
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