Mental Health America Announces First-Of-Its Kind Workplace Mental Health Certification and Initial Recipients

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 7 -- Mental Health America issued the following news release:

Mental Health America (MHA) is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of its new national employer certification program, The Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health.

About 1 in 5 employees will experience a mental health condition each year, but given the right resources, 5 in 5 employees benefit from a supportive and psychologically safe workplace. Employers who value and prioritize mental health can see the positive impact it has on employee retention, engagement, and health care costs. An employer can improve workplace culture, offer generous health insurance and other benefits, and commit to mental health from the top-down to cultivate a worker-friendly, highly productive, and psychologically safe workplace.

The MHA Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health is a certification program created by MHA to assess workplaces in five categories: workplace culture; health insurance and benefits; employee perks and programs; legal and ethical compliance; and leadership and community engagement.

The Bell Seal recognizes employer advances in workplace mental health by awarding levels of bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. By becoming Bell Seal-certified, an organization sets itself apart as a workplace that values mental health and a mentally healthy work environment for all employees. Any employer - large or small - is encouraged to apply. The Bell Seal application process operates on a rolling basis, so MHA can accept applications year-round. Because all workplaces are different, an employer can aspire to receive recognition at four levels - Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

MHA is pleased to announce the following companies as the first to complete the process and become Bell Seal-certified:

Beacon Health Options

Platinum

Beacon is a leading behavioral health services company serving the full spectrum of behavioral health needs and specializing in complex, high acuity populations. Beacon has a deep understanding of the broad challenges individuals face and what it takes to help overcome them. Beacon offers proven solutions for a broad client base that includes employers, regional and specialty health plans, and federal, state, and local governments.

EAB

Platinum

EAB is an education firm that partners with colleges, universities, and K-12 schools across North America and abroad to foster student success at every level. EAB is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional offices in Birmingham, AL; Minneapolis, MN; New York, NY; and Richmond, VA.

Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW)

Platinum

DFW Airport is the world's fourth busiest airport for flights and welcomes more than 73 million customers every year. As one of the most frequently visited superhub airports in the world, DFW has flights to 193 domestic and 67 international nonstop destinations. DFW Airport is one of the largest economic drivers for the North Texas Region, directing $37 billion each year into the local economy.

Ashland Chemical Inc.- Columbus, Ohio manufacturing facility

Silver

Ashland is a premier global specialty materials company serving customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical. Ashland has approximately 4,700 passionate, tenacious solvers - from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators - who thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries.

"Mental Health America envisions a nation where the average American workplace understands the value of addressing mental health at work and implements policies and practices that support employee well-being," said Paul Gionfriddo, Mental Health America president and CEO. "While employees seek workplaces that are stable, supportive, and less stressful, employers seek workers who are engaged, productive and loyal. Fortunately, by addressing mental health at work, employers can achieve the distinct but complementary goals of both employees and the organization."

"Behavioral health is all we do at Beacon Health Options. We're honored to be recognized for living our values and helping our employees live their lives to the fullest." said Russell C. Petrella, Ph.D., president and CEO of Beacon Health Options. "At Beacon, we have a longstanding dedication to the emotional wellbeing of our employees. In return, we enable our employees to thrive which helps us thrive as an organization."

Through the Bell Seal certification process, organizations will have opportunities to discuss the relationship between mental health and the following objectives:

* Attract potential employees and increase retention;

* Improve employee engagement and productivity;

* Reduce healthcare costs and lost revenue as a result of poor workplace mental health;

* Address concerns with presenteeism and absenteeism;

* Reduce the rate of employee turnover; and

* Identify gaps and learn about resources to improve support for employees.

As part of the certification process, organizations will receive a comprehensive assessment of its existing workplace policies and practices for each of the five categories. Based on the results, MHA will provide insight into the areas an employer is doing well and guidance for the areas that need improvement.

"EAB is proud to have been platinum certified by MHA as it recognizes our commitment to bolstering the health and wellness of our employees," said EAB Chief Executive Officer David Felsenthal. "We work hard to create a culture where employees feel safe seeking support for any issue that might impact their ability to bring their full selves to work each day."

"The Ashland Way calls for each of our solvers around the globe to respect, protect, and advance the people we work with, companies we serve, shareholders who invest in our future, communities we're a part of, and planet we share," said Keith Silverman, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Quality and Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS). "Our vision is to continue educating about drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness for employees and their families at all Ashland sites."

"At DFW Airport, we believe taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. We want to remove the stigma associated with emotional health by encouraging our employees and their families to take advantage of the emotional well-being benefits and resources available through our employee assistance program - Safe Landings," said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. "We are committed to providing a culture that promotes overall health - mental and physical - for employees. Organizations have a responsibility to help support an employee's total well-being."

MHA is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. With decades of experience in workplace mental health, MHA recognizes the psychological impact that workplaces can have on their employees. Millions of employees spend a large part of their day, and lifetime, at work, increasing the effect that workplace environments can have on psychological well-being.

To learn more about MHA's Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health, visit www.mhanational.org/bestemployers.

* * *

Mental Health America (MHA) - founded in 1909 - is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal.