Published
October 12, 2023
October is National Depression Education and Awareness Month, and Tuesday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day. This month aims to raise awareness of the disparities that exist in access to mental health services and advocate for policy changes that prioritize mental well-being.
Johns Hopkins continues to promote and encourage efforts to prioritize and protect the mental well-being of its faculty and staff. JHEAP, the Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program, offers the following webinars and resources to raise awareness about depression and mental well-being.
Understanding and Coping with Depression, for All Faculty and Staff
Depression affects more than 280 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. A webinar titled Understanding and Coping with Depression will review the causes, symptoms and impact of depression and offer ways to seek and receive help. Although depression can be reliably diagnosed, few affected people receive appropriate treatment. Participants will learn the barriers to treatment as well as ways to overcome them for a happier, healthier life.
The webinar is open to all faculty and staff and will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25. register here.
Understanding and recognizing depression, for managers
Online training titled Understanding and Recognizing Depression will improve managers’ ability to recognize the symptoms of depression and guide them in referring employees to internal and community resources to manage it. Participants will also learn how to approach employees who may be struggling and how to encourage them to seek professional help if they experience symptoms.
The webinar will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 26. register here.
Empowering Minds, Changing Lives: Defending Mental Health Rights
By adopting the theme Mental Health is a Universal Human Right, you are taking a stand against the inequalities and injustices that persist in the field of mental health. In a webinar titled Empowering Minds, Changing Lives: Championing Mental Health Rights, participants will benefit from:
- Understanding mental health as a universal human right
- Address the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health issues and learn to remove these barriers
- Explore the role of colleagues and managers in promoting mental health rights and creating a supportive work environment
- Discuss the role of communities in mental health advocacy
- Highlighting the importance of self-care practices, building resilience and developing positive mental health habits
This online seminar is pre-recorded and will be available on the Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program Website (company code: JHEAP) starting on World Mental Health Day, Tuesday October 10. You can view the audiovisual presentation and download the audio transcript at that time. You do not need to register in advance.
Additional Resources
If you or someone you know has suffered from depression, you are not alone. Free, confidential counseling for you and your loved ones is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by calling the Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program at 888-978-1262. Or you can submit a request for advice via a online application form.
The CCA@YourService app (access code: JHEAP) includes a comprehensive emotional wellbeing screening tool to identify areas where you may need support. Once the selection is complete, you will be presented with relevant topics that will help inform next steps. Additional information and resources are available on the website at (myccaonline.com)(http://myccaonline.com (company code: JHEAP).
