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As we continue to recognize Mental Health Month, we noted a piece in HR Drive that includes the line: “The mental health crisis is a ‘real thing employers are facing,' noted Dr. Steven Serra, senior medical director at Aetna.”

The piece continues: “The problem: mental and behavioral health issues often appear alongside other chronic problems, including cardiovascular health issues, injury and the like — and equally as often, employees are unaware of the impact of these “comorbidities,” especially on their day-to-day work performance.”

Indeed, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1 in 5 Americans will be affected by a mental health condition in their lifetime and every American is affected or impacted through their friends and family. The site includes a webinar on employee “rights in the workplace and how you can request workplace accommodations for mental health conditions.”

HR Drive reports: “Since 50% of Americans deal with some type of chronic health condition, according to Serra, this is no small problem for American employers.”

“Handling such a problem relies on an employer investing money in the right tools and programs that reach workers — meaning an employer must first have a key understanding of company culture.”

And this trend is growing — more employers are recognizing that mental wellness requires their focus, too.

As the Financial Times reports: “In recent years, employers have taken a greater role in raising awareness. As was the case with physical health — with discounts on gym membership, healthy food in canteens and medical checks — employers have realised that addressing mental health matters can boost productivity.”