Mental Health Awareness Month
by EDR Board Member Dawn Ingalls
Hey everyone! I’m Dawn Ingalls, Talent Development Consultant at Avera Health. For the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Board Member with Employment Disability Resources. I’m deeply passionate about this organization because it offers vital employment resources for both employers and individuals with disabilities.
Some disabilities, like mental health conditions, might not be immediately visible. About 18% of workers in the US report having a mental health condition, such as; anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, at any given time. This means that psychiatric disability is one of the most common types of disabilities covered under the ADA. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, EDR plays a crucial role in helping employers understand the needs of individuals with mental health disabilities. I firmly believe that with proper education and awareness, we can break down barriers and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges in the workplace. I’m committed to continuing my service with this incredible organization and promoting the employment of people with disabilities.
Here are some resources about Mental Health in the workplace:
Professional Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training
– Presented by certified trainers in the field.
– All trainings are based on the best practices registry from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC).
– Participants will receive personal certification upon completion.
– In-person and virtual options are available.
– A minimum of 15 participants are needed for a private group training.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) – Learn how to help someone who has a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis. This training is for the general public. It includes a training manual, 6 hours in the classroom, with 8 total hours of training and is free in South Dakota.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) – Learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. This training includes a resource booklet, takes 60-90 minutes and is free in South Dakota.
Conversations on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) – The oldest and most widely-used training on lethal means safety, a practical intervention training to increase the time and distance between individuals at risk of suicide and the most common lethal methods. This training includes handouts and takes 60-90 minutes.
To request a training, contact Dakotah Jordan, Education & Postvention Manager for Lost & Found, at [email protected].
Additional Resources:
- FREE download of our Let’s Talk About Mental Health Guide and Let’s Talk About Grief Guide available on our website. These are both great resources to have handy for yourself or team members who are struggling.
- If you know someone personally or professionally who has experienced suicide loss, please direct them to our program – Survivors Joining for Hope
- Workplace Mental Health Action Planning – If you have done mental health initiatives but aren’t sure if you are heading in the right direction, we have an assessment for that. Please check out the attached info and contact Erin Bosch at [email protected] to schedule a discovery meeting!
Employment Disability Resources is proud to offer the Disability Inclusion Partner program!
In partnership with the Sioux Falls Disability Awareness and Accessibility Review Board (DAARB), we give local businesses who employ one or more people with disabilities an award to acknowledge and celebrate their diverse, inclusive workplace culture. Watch for the “Disability Inclusion Partner” sticker on the doors of local businesses. Businesses that recently received a Disability Inclusion Partner sticker include:
- Kwik Star, 3310 N. Cliff Ave.
- Johnson Feed Inc., Sioux Falls
For more information about employing individuals with disabilities, please contact:
Vicki Stewart, Executive Director
Employment Disability Resources
2900 W. 11th Street, Suite 101, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-215-1760 or [email protected]
