how do we co-create stigma-free workplaces built on foundation of empathy with needed mental health supports and programs?
​steps to obtain a workplace wellness certification

If workplaces meet our stated Workplace Wellness Criteria — currently in development in collaboration with mental health advocates with lived experience, nonprofit leaders and HR specialists — leaders take a pledge to abide by these criteria and are then eligible to download our Workplace Wellness certification logo. By doing so, they are also agreeing to a one-year compliance check up.

If, on the other hand, workplaces do not meet the stated criteria, they must take a different pledge. They must agree to take action to come into compliance by following the four action items over the next year.

four certification stepS for out-of-compliance workplaces

  1. ​​​meet our stated criteria within this time frame;
  2. hire a Workplace Wellness Strategist (or equivalent) to drive needed criteria-changes, or if budgets to not permit a new hire, extend DEI job description to include mental health or designate an internal team member as point person;
  3. utilize culturally-relevant materials (webinars, etc) curated from nonprofits and other evidence-based sources available for free on www.acceleratingmentalwellness.org to train leaders and employees on workplace mental health issues; and
  4. agree to a one-year compliance check up at the end of the term.

help send a loud and clear message to workplaces we urgently need
stigma-free workplaces: three ways you can help

This is a rallying cry to advocates and concerned citizens to come together. To share our selfies and our stories in a collaborative and coordinated campaign to accelerate social change on behalf of those who are suffering in silence and shame. With must step up and speak out, a calling more salient in light of the Great Resignation.

Whilst it is easy to build a business case for workplaces to integrate mental health access and programming as a benefit, let's come together to do the hard work. Let's build a human case for rebuilding our workplaces on a foundation of empathy and caring.

If you are a mental health advocate or concerned citizen of the world, please consider joining us and raising your voice. Let's all stand up and be heard. And together, be so loud that eventually they must not only listen but TAKE A PLEDGE to either acknowledge the importance of this initiative or take concrete steps to create a stigma-free workplace with appropriate mental health programming and supports for employees.