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Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
An MMA webinar for managers and supervisors on May 21 discussed mental health challenges in the workplace. Speakers included Jon Mattleman, a retired municipal employee and mental health consultant, left, and Stow Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski.
An MMA webinar for managers and supervisors on May 21 discussed mental health challenges in the workplace.
Jon Mattleman, a retired municipal employee and mental health consultant, discussed why managers need to understand employee mental health challenges. Doing so leads to a healthier workplace culture, reduces the stigma surrounding mental health, and ensures earlier intervention to better support the employee, he said.
“We talk about injuries and physical stuff, but we don’t talk about depression,” he said.
Depression, however, is what impacts work productivity and socializing.
One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. But stigma often prevents this from being discussed in the workplace.
The webinar covered the most common mental health issues — anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, burnout and bullying — as well as what their emotional and physical signs may look like.
Mattleman closed with a brief mindfulness exercise, emphasizing the importance of self care.
A second webinar, on June 18, will cover the same topic for municipal employees.
The webinar was offered at no cost to MMA members thanks to the sponsorship of Human Resources Services Inc.
Stow Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski moderated 10 minutes of questions and answers, addressing inquiries regarding how to begin the conversation with struggling employees, what to do when many employees are unhappy, and how to encourage staff to engage in self care.
• Mental Health Awareness for Managers (9M PDF)