October 10, 2025
On October 9, 2025, the GRIT Project hosted a powerful session with the Ohio Department of Mental Health exploring the intersection of behavioral health and public health. The GRIT team would like to give special thanks to speakers Carol Baden and Staci Swenson for sharing their expertise and inspiration. The presentation brought together Future Plans employees and partners to deepen understanding of behavioral health, reduce stigma, and highlight actionable strategies for supporting recovery in the workplace.
Understanding Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is an essential part of overall well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social aspects that affect how we think, feel, and interact. The presentation emphasized that behavioral health conditions—including mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs)—are not character flaws or moral failings. Recovery is a journey that requires support, compassion, and community engagement.
Carol and Staci discussed how symptoms and conditions exist on a spectrum, from mild to severe, and can change over time. Early identification and intervention are critical, as waiting until “rock bottom” can make recovery more challenging. The session encouraged open, supportive conversations—reminding attendees that it’s okay to ask or share concerns, and that recovery is possible with the right care and environment.
Reducing Stigma and Supporting Recovery
A key theme was the role of stigma and shame in hindering recovery. Despite growing public acceptance of the medical nature of behavioral health disorders, negative perceptions persist. The presentation highlighted the importance of grace, support, and consistency, noting that recovery is rarely linear and often involves setbacks and restarts. There is no “perfect” path—just persistence and community support.
Ohio’s Recovery Friendly Workplace Program
One highlight of the session was the introduction to Ohio’s Recovery Friendly Workplace program. This initiative encourages employers to support employees in recovery, strengthen their workforce, and access resources to create environments that are recovery-friendly. By adopting recovery-friendly practices—such as mental health education, connecting staff to resources, and promoting open dialogue—businesses can reduce stigma, retain talent, and boost overall employee well-being.
EMPLOYEE ABSENTEEISM DATA DUE TO MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES
- Since the onset of COVID-19, mental health-related leaves of absence in the U.S. have surged by 300% from 2017 to 2023, with a 33% increase in 2023 alone. [shrm.org], [businesswire.com], [forbes.com], [compsych.com]
- In the first quarter of 2024, more than 1 in 10 (11%) of all leaves of absence were due to mental health, and mental health leaves now outnumber those for accidents, cancer, COVID-19, heart disease, and heart attack combined. [compsych.com]
- Overall employee leaves of absence increased 30% between 2019 and 2024, with mental health leaves driving much of this growth. [businesswire.com]
- Ohio has experienced a dramatic rise in behavioral health challenges since COVID. In 2023, over 2.1 million Ohioans (24.9%) had a mental illness, up from 23.6% in 2022
Employers who join the program benefit from increased employee loyalty, reduced absenteeism, and lower turnover rates. The program also provides toolkits, training modules, and digital resources to help organizations become champions of recovery in their communities.
Making a Real Difference
The GRIT Project’s session underscored that recovery-friendly workplaces are not just good for individuals—they strengthen families, communities, and the economy. By supporting employees in recovery, organizations help people regain stability, pride, and purpose, while also seeing economic benefits and improved workplace morale.
As Future Plans continues to champion behavioral health and recovery, we invite all partners and employers to explore Ohio’s Recovery Friendly Workplace program and join us in making a real difference for individuals and communities across the state.
