Step 4: Consult a Mental Health Advocate
Because we didn’t have a mental health professional on staff, we knew we needed to consult an expert. Sarah Jo Crawford, mental health advocate and founder of Sarah Jo Crawford Consulting, played an integral role in helping our team refine and implement our policy. Her involvement was the most important component of this process.
“Most employers understand how to accommodate traditional disabilities but feel out of their element when faced with mental health concerns,” Crawford said. “While no leader should ever feel compelled to provide all the solutions, providing assistance and secure systems of communication is just as feasible as incorporating a health and wellness program.”
To help us, Crawford provided guidance on appropriate language, open communication techniques, accommodation options, and creative solutions for working alongside our employees to support them. A mental health advocate like her can illuminate details you may never have considered, which can mean the difference between a policy that’s a nice gesture and a policy that’s truly effective.