Mental Health in the Alaska Workforce

On-the-job injuries are often perceived as physical, such as back trauma or repetitive stress, but the psychological impact from a hostile work environment can be equally damaging. A combination of factors, including harassment, discrimination, bullying, and a lack of respect, create toxic work environments. These behaviors, when pervasive or severe enough, negatively impact employees and are often exacerbated by inadequate or inept management responses to complaints.

Workplace culture has evolved, and today’s employees expect their employers to actively support mental health, even beyond offering insurance benefits. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work in America Survey report, US workers are placing a greater value on mental health.

• 92 percent of workers say it is very (57 percent) or somewhat (35 percent) important to them to work for an organization that values their emotional and psychological well-being.
• 92 percent say it is very (52 percent) or somewhat (40 percent) important to them to work for an organization that provides support for employee mental health.
• 95 percent say it is very (66 percent) or somewhat (29 percent) important to them to feel respected at work.
• 95 percent say it is very (61 percent) or somewhat (34 percent) important to them to work for an organization that respects the boundaries between work and non-work time.

As reported by the World Health Organization in the 2022 Guidelines on Mental Health at Work, depression and anxiety are estimated to cost the global economy $1 trillion each year, driven predominantly by lost productivity. Conversely, good mental health can have a significant positive impact on productivity, morale, and the overall well-being of employees. Staff are also more likely to be creative, innovative, and positive contributors to the organization’s success.

How Alaska Stacks Up

According to the Alaska Department of Health publication 2023 Alaska Scorecard Key Issues Impacting Alaska Mental Health Trust Beneficiaries, the percentage of Alaskans over age 18 who received mental health services in the past year has increased by 7.3 percent from a 2016–2019 baseline to 2022, and the rate of intentional self-harm and death from suicide increased 0.5 percent—ranking as the second highest overall percentage in the nation after Montana. Alaska ranks 34th in terms of how much access to mental health care exists within a state, according to Mental Health America, the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and illness prevention. This “Access Ranking” indicates that thirty-three other states provide relatively more access to insurance and mental health treatment than Alaska does. Higher costs, greater likelihood to be forced out-of-network for mental healthcare than for primary healthcare, and many rural communities without enough mental health professionals are all contributing factors.

Mental Health Resources

There are several free or low-cost resources available to assist with both acute mental health issues and to enhance one’s mental wellness on the path to becoming whole body and mind healthy. Broadly, these can be viewed as national, local, online, and positive psychology practices.

Nationally, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in 2005 with funding from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration. Accessible by dialing 9-8-8 or visiting www.988lifeline.org, this is a free and confidential emotional support service for people in suicide crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.

Other national resources include the Crisis Text Line with chat, text, or WhatsApp; the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; the Suicide Prevention Resource Center; the Trevor Project; and the Veteran’s Crisis Line (individuals don’t even have to be enrolled in Veterans Affairs benefits to call). These services can be helpful to move from a “hot moment” to calm and address issues ranging from doomscrolling and generalized anxiety to eating disorders, loneliness, and emotional abuse.

If a person finds that they are experiencing repeated emotional problems which interfere with their day-to-day life, like generally feeling overwhelmed with everything, they could benefit from going to local therapy. The American Psychology Association and Psychology Today both have therapist locator pages online to help with this search. Additionally, no matter where someone lives in Alaska, they can dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221 to connect with a community resource specialist who will work with them to understand their needs and connect them to the available programs and services that can help. They can also email alaska211@ak.org or visit alaska211.org. Also, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has specific resources for its population base.

Various online options, including apps, exist to help people with sleep and stress. There is a strong connection between sleep and both mental and physical health. Several of these apps are free or have low-cost options:

• Calm is the name of an app that offers guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and music to reduce stress and improve sleep.
• Headspace provides mindfulness exercises and sleep tools, with a focus on building mindfulness habits.
• Happify uses activities and games to improve mood, build resilience, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

There are even apps for suicide prevention, such as Stanley-Brown Safety Plan. Therapists can now offer services online in Alaska through telehealth, which is convenient and secure, sometimes by working for large companies, hospitals or healthcare systems, or through smaller private practices.

Lastly, positive psychology practices are techniques to help reduce stress and boost mental health and wellness. These include cultivating gratitude through journaling, visits, or mental exercises; practicing mindfulness through meditation, yoga, time in nature, breathing, or mindful activities; focusing on strengths by identifying, utilizing, and spotting them in others; fostering positive emotions through savoring, acts of kindness, and humor; building resilience through optimistic thinking, self-compassion, and social support; finding meaning and purpose by identifying values, engaging in meaningful activities, and reflecting on purpose; and promoting physical well-being through exercise, a healthy diet, and sufficient sleep.

Incorporating positive psychology practices into daily life can effectively manage stress, cultivate positive emotions, and enhance overall mental health and wellness. Taking a walk with one’s children could be both socially and physically rewarding. Of course, resources related to strengths and resilience exist throughout one’s culture and community.

Mental Health Is Physical Health

Professionals ranging from athletes to therapists recognize the connection between mental and physical health. Holistic health, an important aspect of self-care identified in psychology, has existed in various cultures for years and acknowledges that the body’s reaction to stress can manifest as physical illness.

Additionally, behavioral activation can improve mood and serve as a component in addressing or preventing depression. Diet can also impact energy levels and mood, which, in turn, can influence adherence to doctors’ recommendations for physical health, from diabetes management to other long-term conditions.

This is why health psychology and behavioral health consultation can be complementary. A team-based approach is standard in many hospitals for certain often chronic conditions like cancer treatments, craniofacial surgeries, and pediatric diseases. Issues such as migraines or chronic pain often cannot be resolved with strictly physical interventions, so these cases can have mental health interventions too.

Four Steps for Clare

A popular saying is, “Your business’ most valuable assets go home at the end of the day. Create an environment where they want to come back tomorrow.” Life has its ups and downs. There will be periods of successes and failures, happiness and difficulty, and good times and bad times. This is normal and can’t be avoided.

How could Clare’s employer support someone like her? A four-step approach may be effective: train supervisors on the signs of positive mental health, encourage acts of kindness toward others, promote physical exercise, and make work meaningful.

Studies that show regular acts of kindness can actually lower anxiety and depression, independently or included within therapy. It seems like helping others just naturally takes our minds off our own worries, which is powerful. Employers can support this through mentorship programs, peer recognition awards, and partnering with local charities to provide organized volunteer opportunities.

Exercise works similarly. It’s a physical, outward action that helps break those negative thought cycles we can get stuck in. Employers can assist with exercise strategies by offering wellness programs, subsidizing gym memberships, and ensuring that employees have a comfortable, healthy, ergonomic workspace.

Let’s not forget how important it is for people to find meaning in their work. When employees feel like what they do matters, they’re more resilient, happier, and even more likely to adopt healthy habits, like exercise. For leaders and managers, building a workplace where people feel a sense of purpose isn’t just nice to have, it’s a smart business move. It creates a healthier, more engaged, and, ultimately, more productive team, which makes a better work environment for everyone.