The ‘Trillion-Dollar Talent’ Opportunity in Mental Health

   On this World Mental Health Day, I'm reflecting on a recent Financial Times article that appropriately highlighted the high – and largely preventable – cost of our current approach to mental health and well-being in the workplace around the world. The article calls it the “trillion-dollar taboo.” But the bigger story is another “T” word: Talent.

    That's because leading employers, both in the private and public sectors, are beginning to move beyond the "taboo" to use workplace mental health as a recruiting tool and competitive advantage to attract top "talent" (especially the generation entering the workforce) with messages that affirm the importance of mental health services as well as the value of an employee, regardless of the state of one’s mental health.

    In my time as the first Johnson & Johnson mental health ambassador, I have worked with our employees to continue building a company culture that we believe is a leader in addressing and affirming mental health needs in the workplace. When it comes to building dynamic, innovative teams, I’ve found the following messages to be crucial in recruitment efforts:

Mental health is a common topic among schools and online communities.

Potential employees, especially those just entering the workforce, are coming from schools and online communities where mental health is more openly discussed and addressed than ever before. Why should they work for an employer where they have to hide their experiences and needs?

Good employee mental health is a critical success factor for all organizations.

In our increasingly knowledge-based economy, the mental health and well-being of our employees is a critical success factor for all organizations, both in the private and public sectors.

Given the prevalence of individuals with mental illness and those who serve as caregivers for their loved ones, we as a society cannot afford to ignore mental health any longer.

With 1 in 4 employees living with mental illness, according to the WHO, and many more acting as caregivers for their families, society cannot look the other way when it comes to mental health.

Not everyone has access or responds to current treatment options.

Fortunately, existing treatments work for many people, and better treatments are coming – including from our R&D. But two-thirds of people get no treatment, according to the WHO, and the third who do wait an average of 8-10 years.

Individuals who live with mental illness have many of the key 21st-century leadership skills required to be a successful employee.

I know from experience with my own employees that many people living with mental illness have humility, because they know they are not perfect. Many have empathy, because they understand pain. Many have an innovative approach, because they have had to hack not only the healthcare system and social stigma but also the attitudes of their own families and even their own minds. And of course, many possess an amazing level of grit, because they’ve shown they will persevere through difficult challenges.

I want your authentic self to join our inclusive work environment and help Johnson & Johnson pursue our shared Purpose: to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity.

As the J&J mental health ambassador, I am focused on ensuring mental health isn’t just a buzzword thrown around when recruiting top talent but rather something that’s taken seriously in both policy and culture. It’s part of the culture of diversity and inclusion I’ve experienced firsthand at Johnson & Johnson, something that has earned the firm the top honor on DiversityInc’s list of diverse companies.

    So, I WANT YOU to come work for Johnson & Johnson and take advantage of the inclusive culture, specifically the policies the company has in place and is constantly improving to protect, support, and help those living with mental health issues thrive, as either patients or caregivers. As importantly, I want you to bring your authentic self to work and realize your full potential in pursuit of Johnson & Johnson’s shared Purpose: to profoundly change the trajectory of mental health for humanity.