During suicide prevention month (and beyond), it is imperative to validate and appreciate each person working at Drake and the incredible job each person does to make sure that Drake is on mission for our students and our community.
Did you know that, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 workers will experience a mental health condition in a year?
What can you do if you are feeling mentally strained?
- Talk to your supervisor or a trusted person about your feelings.
- Take a mental health screen at Self-Assessments – Employee and Family Resources (efr.org) to access your mental health quickly and confidentially.
- Schedule vacation or personal time away from work.
- Connect with:
- Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- DoctorsOnDemand/Telehealth mental health professionals,
- Broadlawns mental health services Broadlawns mental health services
- Visit with Marlene Heuertz in Human Resources (heuertz@drake.edu) for additional resources.
- Call 988 or chat online at: org/chat if you are in a mental health crisis and need to speak with someone immediately.
What can you do if you see that a coworker seems to be struggling with mental health?
- Talk with them privately and listen without judgment. You are not expected to be a mental health professional, but you can still help them by opening the conversation. Ask open-ended questions like:
- How are you feeling today?
- Why do you think you feel this way?
- How can I help?
- If comfortable and appropriate, relate to them on a personal level and share your own experiences.
- Always respect the employee’s right to privacy if the disclose a mental health condition.
- If someone is at immediate risk of suicide, stay with them until you can get further help. Contact emergency services or call/text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
All in This Together—Together we can make a difference.
— Teresa Downs, Human Resources