Leaders Survey: Mental health

/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BR_web_311x311.jpeg

The Business Record’s 2018 Leaders Survey asked readers their opinions on a number of topics, including whether the business community provides adequate resources on mental health. You can find more results here (Insider). We’re sharing other results and comments in our e-newsletters this month.

Agree or disagree: The business community is providing adequate resources to address mental health issues.

Agree12%
Disagree62%
I’m not sure.26%

Readers’ comments:

Steven Muller, CEO, Balance Autism
Disagree. Progress is being made, but we still have room to improve.

Paul Gibbins, executive director, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Polk County
I’m not sure. I am not sure that this is the responsibility of the business community. It would fall specifically to the health care community and the government in regards to support for those on public assistance. My family has recently been impacted by the lack of mental health inpatient beds ? we had to wait in the emergency room for a bed to open without receiving mental health services for many days. It was completely agonizing to watch a loved one struggling for days. We had insurance, but that did not matter. Once she was offered a bed, we experienced her situation improving almost immediately. The fact that treatment was that effective that quickly frustrates me even more as I reflect on the days waiting for a bed. This is not a situation that should be tolerated.

Scott Turczynski, VP/owner, Heartland Companies
I’m not sure. [I am ] not sure what the business community can do. The state and local governments can and should do more, however.

Keith Gredys, CEO and president, Kidder Benefits Consultants Inc.
Disagree. There are some great mental health providers in the area, but not enough. People do not like to discuss and address this issue so it is often under the radar. However, it exists in most businesses and most families. Businesses, governmental entities and charitable/religious organizations should consider this a bigger priority and find ways to make mental health issues more approachable.