Over 60 employers will be in attendance
Author: Work In Progress
South Carolina Public Servant Recognition May 1st – 7th
South Carolina state employees are dedicated and committed to delivering services that enhance the lives of all South Carolinians………. and are to be recognized May 1- 7th of 2022 by Governor’s Proclamation.
The work done by these dedicated public servants, including rehabilitation and counseling people in need, educating our children, protecting citizens’ rights….. preserving public safety, and protecting the health of our citizens, is challenging and vital…
Take a moment to thank those individuals whenever possible.
Life Challenges
It’s important to accept the situations in life that we cannot change, actively work to process the mental struggles associated with big changes, manage anger and frustration, recognize when trauma may be affecting your mental health, challenge negative thinking patterns, and make time to take care of yourself.
While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.
MHANATIONAL.ORG
Encourage proper self-care in the workplace
Encourage proper self-care.
Employees may be hesitant to take time off or speak up about any struggles they are experiencing. Promote the importance of self-care and lead by example so your employees focus on their mental health. Consider offering paid time off for mental wellness days or schedule team breaks so your employees can mentally reset.
“Supporting mental health in the workplace empowers employees to do top-notch work and to balance personal well-being needs,” said Yudhishthu. “It’s your responsibility to create the strategy and foster the environment that enables that.”
https://www.business.com/articles/support-employee-mental-health/
Disability Employment Awareness
According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), “The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports [ mine].” Being able to continue working, for example, often contributes to an employee’s sense of stability and self-worth, which can aid in recovery.
https://blog.employerscouncil.org/2015/03/27/mental-health-friendly-workplaces/
Employers supporting mental health
Depression prevention methods as we age.
Workplace Mental Health
How you can help your staffDesign a mentally healthy work space. It’s important for your employees to feel energized and uplifted by their work environment. Research has shown productivity, engagement, and overall wellness increase when people feel comfortable in workspaces with natural lighting, plants, and other positive features.
Focus on the positive. Mental illness is a serious issue, but it can still be addressed in a way that makes people feel understood, appreciated, and hopeful. Always remember to leave your employees feeling like they have a clear plan of action ahead and that they or their loved ones can get well.
https://lifespeak.com/10-ways-to-improve-mental-health-in-your-workplace/
Depression in young people
Resources:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the SC Department of Mental Health’s Mobile Crisis Team, statewide, toll-free, 24/7.
Mobile Crisis Access Phone Line: 833-364-2274 Email: mobilecrisis@scdmh.o
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.
Chat options at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ Available 24 hours.
Para asistencia en español, llame a la linea directa de Prevención del Suicidio al 1-800-273-8255 (oprima el numero 2)
Service members and Veterans in crisis can call 800-273-8255 (press 1) or text to 838255.
Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting COURAGE to 741741
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth. Call 866-488-7386 or text Trevor to 1-202-304-1200.
National Disaster Distress Helpline is available to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to COVID-19.
Call 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Workplace mental health matters
How you can help your staff
- Pay attention and be ready to help. If you do notice an employee behaving differently (ex: irritability or low mood), don’t hesitate to ask them if everything is alright. Even if they tell you they’re fine, remind them that you’re there to help and that they have access to assistive resources.
- Make sure the tools and resources are relevant. No matter how much information you supply your employees, it’ll never do any good if it’s outdated or irrelevant. In fact, it might even do harm. Frequently audit your mental health resources to make sure they’re accurate, up-to-date, and contain practical advice that your employees can use to get better.
- Facilitate access to these resources. Similar to the previous point, your staff won’t get much use out of the information if it’s difficult for them to find. Eliminate barriers to access by providing the content in a variety of formats (audio, video, written, etc), and minimizing the number of steps it takes for them to find it.
- Prioritize confidentiality and anonymity. Even though mental health might be normalized in your workplace, some people might still feel uncomfortable discussing it, particularly if they struggle with addiction, trauma, or suicidal thoughts. Reassure your staff that their privacy is your top concern, and that their use of mental health resources will never be monitored or tracked.
https://lifespeak.com/10-ways-to-improve-mental-health-in-your-workplace/
Depression: What you should know
Resources:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact
the SC Department of Mental Health’s Mobile Crisis Team, statewide, toll-free, 24/7. Mobile Crisis Access Phone Line: 833-364-2274 Email: mobilecrisis@scdmh.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.
Chat options at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ Available 24 hours.
Para asistencia en español, llame a la linea directa de Prevención del Suicidio al 1-800-273-8255 (oprima el numero 2)
Service members and Veterans in crisis can call 800-273-8255 (press 1) or text to 838255.
Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting COURAGE to 741741
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth. Call 866-488-7386 or
text Trevor to 1-202-304-1200.
National Disaster Distress Helpline is available to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to COVID-19.
Call 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Why workplace mental health matters
Many organizations fall short when it comes to employee wellness. While it’s great that most corporate programs heavily emphasize physical health through benefits like dental plans and prescription drug coverage, the body is only half the equation. Our brains are just as crucial to our well-being, especially considering the detrimental effects mental illness can have on physical health, such as increased blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, and heightened risk of cancer.
When an employee is suffering, so does their work. Depression has become the leading cause of disability across the globe, and it’s estimated that 172 million workdays are lost due to depression each year. Stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues compound this problem, leaving people less engaged, focused, and productive.
How you can help your staff
- Speak candidly about mental health. The first step to beating the stigma is to stop treating mental illness as taboo. Whether it’s an article you read, a show you watched, or a personal experience you had, talking about it openly and without shame will help others realize they aren’t alone.
- Keep the conversation going. Workplace culture must be nurtured, which means you can’t just mention mental health once and expect it to catch on. Find multiple opportunities to incorporate the subject into your employees’ day so it stays top-of-mind.
- Include all levels of staff. As we mentioned in a previous article, culture starts at the top. Your employees won’t believe that you genuinely care about their well-being unless every manager and executive also demonstrates the importance of mental health.
- Encourage employees to take mental health days off. If you still require your employees to provide a doctor’s note or otherwise “legitimate” reason for missing work, it might be time to stop. Part of preventative health involves giving your mind and body a break every now and then, and allowing your staff to miss work in order to recharge can help them stave off more serious health issues down the road.
Continue to follow the Work In Progress blog for more ways you can help your staff
https://lifespeak.com/10-ways-to-improve-mental-health-in-your-workplace/
World Mental Health Day October 10 2021
Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. And services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders have been significantly disrupted.
Yet there is cause for optimism. During the World Health Assembly in May 2021, governments from around the world recognized the need to scale up quality mental health services at all levels. And some countries have found new ways of providing mental health care to their populations.
October 2021 South Carolina Disability Employment Awareness Month
Governor McMaster has proclaimed October as
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
This is a tremendous step towards moving South Carolina forward in efforts to ensure equitable and meaningful employment is available to all citizens, and especially to persons with disabilities.
Acknowledging the need for more assertive, sustainable and attainable resources and support is an ongoing effort for job seekers and employment providers.
While the Proclamation is a step in the right direction, the momentum must continue. As opportunities arise, take a moment to contact your legislators, advocate within your communities and pursue best practices.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Lois R. Durrah
SCAPSE President/Board Member
About APSE
The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national organization focused exclusively on Employment First to facilitate the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and community.
APSE members recognize that everyone has abilities to contribute and their work should be recognized and rewarded with fair pay, creating inclusive workplaces. Employment enriches and adds meaning to every life, and workplaces and communities are enhanced when they embrace differences.
3 Reasons To Hire More Individuals With Disabilities In 2021
Paula Morgan Forbes Contributor
I write on the intersection of disability and public services.
There are still many challenges facing employers as we head into the new year, but overcoming the stigmas surrounding individuals with disabilities shouldn’t be one of them. Investing in this highly skilled and dedicated workforce will benefit all involved and places companies on the path to starting 2021 on the right foot
Reason #3 TO HIRE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Individuals with disabilities are loyal workers
Employee turnover is the bane of every company’s existence, but the Department of Labor found that employers who supported those with disabilities saw a 90% increase in employee retention. That is because offering reasonable accommodations is often significantly less costly than firing workers. In addition, insights from The Center for Financial Planning report show that diverse companies are more likely to retain talent, which has a direct financial correlation and leads to better overall job satisfaction, less money spent on recruitment, improvements in bottom line, and greater company-wide profitability.
Finding, hiring and retraining employees costs time, money and resources that would be better spent elsewhere. Even if the turnover rate isn’t particularly high, that same report found that a lack of diversity leads to lower productivity, higher absenteeism, and physical and mental health issues among employees.
Reason # 2 to Hire People with Disabilities
3 Reasons To Hire More Individuals With Disabilities In 2021
Paula Morgan Forbes Contributor
I write on the intersection of disability and public services.
While employment statistics for this group have improved over the years, there is still a great deal more that employers can do to promote diversity and inclusion in their workplaces, especially considering only 13% of employers have reached the 7% target set by the U.S. Department of Labor for federal contractors hiring individuals with disabilities.
Increasing this percentage will benefit employers and employees alike, so keep reading for the top three reasons to hire more individuals with disabilities in 2021.
2) This community is an untapped workforce and a valuable resource
People with disabilities are often overlooked because of the stigma that comes along with their disabilities, but employers who abandon these stereotypes will gain highly skilled employees with substantial motivation to exceed expectations. Not only are these individuals eager and willing to take on a variety of employment opportunities, many of them have valuable skill sets to offer, stemming from their diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Here at Allsup, we work with many former workers with disabilities, and more than half have expressed their desire to return to work once they have recovered. Companies that offer them the chance to do so are likely to reap the benefits of this larger applicant pool, which offers a wider range of perspectives, backgrounds, and skills, and to become more innovative as a result.
Thank you for reading. See Reason # 3 tomorrow
Our secret is out! Hiring People with Disabilities is beneficial to employers.
3 Reasons To Hire More Individuals With Disabilities In 2021
Paula Morgan Diversity & Inclusion
I write on the intersection of disability and public services.
2021 offers a new year to improve workforce diversity and inclusion.
This year, challenging as it has been, has afforded individuals with disabilities the opportunity to celebrate several major milestones: July marked 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law and October was the 75th anniversary of Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Unfortunately, against this backdrop of historical success, data from the National Organization on Disability indicates that nearly 1 million people with disabilities lost their jobs between the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and July 2020. Historically, individuals with disabilities are one of the first groups to be laid off or have their hours cut, and this year many were compelled to stop working due to the various health risks posed by the virus.
The pandemic has touched the lives of all Americans, but according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1 in 5 workers with disabilities lost employment, compared with 1 in 7 workers in the general population.
While employment statistics for this group have improved over the years, there is still a great deal more that employers can do to promote diversity and inclusion in their workplaces, especially considering only 13% of employers have reached the 7% target set by the U.S. Department of Labor for federal contractors hiring individuals with disabilities.
Increasing this percentage will benefit employers and employees alike, so keep reading for the top three reasons to hire more individuals with disabilities in 2021.
1) Investing in diversity leads to financial gains
According to a 2018 report published by Accenture, companies that prioritized the inclusion of individuals with disabilities were four times more likely to outperform their competitors in shareholder returns, and have, on average 28% higher revenue, double the net income and 30% higher profit margins.
Research also shows that companies that employ a more diverse workforce, including individuals with disabilities, are also better positioned to attract and serve a more diverse customer base.
Thank you for reading. Look for Reason 2 tomorrow………
It’s SPRING 2020
3/19/20
Here are a few tips to increasing your overall happiness during this time of the year:
1. Think spring and ask, “ What do I want to grow?”
Perhaps it’s to grow your garden or redo your home office or clean up personal calendar?
2. Plant some fun new joy into your life. “What’s something new I would like to do?”
What can you spring into for this spring? Perhaps it’s a new hobby like gardening, genealogy or hiking. Maybe volunteering with the elderly or reading to children?
3. Time For Friends and Family. “What is a meaningful way to spend time?”
Who is someone I haven’t seen all winter that you would like to renew your relationship? Who do I miss and who do I laugh with?
It’s TODAY!!! 10AM Statehouse Rotunda
Mental Health Advocacy Day on 3/11/20
03/04/20
Get ready!!!! It is on the way!! Next Wednesday!!!
Tis the Season
4 Ways to Give this Season
Number 1. Giving Tuesday Donations
Today is the day, in the heart of the holiday season, a day set aside to allow each of us to be a part of making a difference in the lives of others.
Your financial gift can help someone who has a mental illness feel valued, accepted, proud to go to work, and be able to overcome the barriers created by having a mental illness. The desire to become employed empowers individuals to succeed in their recovery and personal goals.
Your donations assist us in Changing People’s Lives through employment. We invite all of you to join us in donating to Work In Progress. Work In Progress is a 501 c 3 Organization dedicated to serving individuals living in Richland and Lexington Counties with recovery from the barriers of mental illness by providing employment services and supports.
We appreciate your desire to help.
Click on the donate button below to make a secure online donation.
Or you can mail a check to our mailing address:
1111 Belleview St. Suite 101, Columbia, SC 29201
803- 758-0066
We thank you for your kind and generous support.
Please share this request with others who would understand the barriers of having a mental illness and the restoration of hope achieved through employment !
Thank you for your donation!
Number 2. Target Circle Shop and Vote
Earn votes to help direct where Target gives in your community*.
Every time you check out, you can earn one vote to help direct where Target gives in your community.
Earn votes in store by entering your phone number at checkout, or have a Team Member scan your Wallet barcode in the Target app when you check out.
You can also earn up to 7 days after making a purchase by entering your receipt number on Target.com/circle, or scanning the receipt barcode using the Target app. If you’re shopping on Target.com, just sign in to your account and your vote(s) will be added after checkout.
Track and cast your votes for the participating nonprofit(s) of your choosing on your dashboard on Target.com/circle.
*Restrictions apply. For full terms see Target Circle™ Terms & Conditions.
Number 3. Amazon Smile Donations
This holiday season – Shop through Amazon Smiles to create jobs through Work In Progress
Work In Progress is a member of AmazonSmile -a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you.
Share this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/57-0946855 and tell your family, employees, and friends that Amazon will give a portion of their purchase to benefit the individuals served through Work In Progress Inc.
Thank you – we hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.
Click here for the Amazon Smile Program
Number 4. Kroger Rewards Program
To Use the Kroger Community Rewards Program:
Simply visit http://www.kroger.com/signin?redirectUrl=/account/communityrewards
Once logged into your Kroger account you can search for Work In Progress Inc either by name or MR257 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.
You must have a registered Kroger rewards card account to link to Work In Progress. If you do not yet have a Kroger rewards card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger
Please share this request with others who would understand the barriers of having a mental illness and the restoration of hope achieved through employment !
Thank you for your donation!
@wipcolumbia
http://www.workinprogresscolumbia.com
#wipcolumbia
GIVING TUESDAY
11/26/2019
As the holiday season comes upon us, Work In Progress has so much to be grateful for. Cooking the holiday meals and decorating for all the special occasions can easily take up all your time but we would like to challenge you to not forget what Work In Progress is all about.
Don’t forget that many people are looking for work so they can too enjoy their holidays and provide for themselves and their loved ones.
On Tuesday, December 3, Work In Progress is participating in #GIVINGTUESDAY
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world.
Starting with GivingTuesday and continuing throughout December, we at Work In Progress ask that you join us as we count the many ways in which your donations have allowed us to help individuals struggling with mental illness find their way into employment and a successful future.
#giveback
@wipcolumbia
www.workinprogresscolumbia.com
#wipcolumbia
Equal Employment for All
11/12/2019
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Get a further and more in depth look at the details: Recruiting, Hiring, Retaining, and Promoting People with Disabilities
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Thanks and credits to SC ABLE and Hire Me SC
Sources for this information include the following places: the 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium and the United States Department of Labor, Community Rehabilitation Programs List.
@wipcolumbia
http://www.workinprogresscolumbia.com
Target Circle Donation Opportunity
10/8/2019
Dear Work In Progress Family,
We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us!
Now through January 5th, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Find out more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle
We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we continue our mission to create more life opportunities for individuals with a mental illness by providing qualified candidates to the local job market, referring people who have experienced mental illness or emotional problems to the appropriate opportunity.
Don’t forget, as you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign!
Thank you for your support, and we encourage you to share your support for us (and your thanks to Target) on social media throughout the duration of the voting!
Amy Jolly
Governor McMaster Proclaims October 2019 as Disability Employment Awareness Month!
10/3/2019
USC Bringing Awareness of Mental Health
9/16/2019
One Gamecock family has turned a tragedy into an opportunity to help raise awareness for mental health for student athletes.
Ryan Hilinski is the freshman starting quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks. His two brothers, Kelly and Tyler also played college football.
January 2018, Ryan’s brother Tyler took his own life. No one saw it coming.
The Hilinski family started an organization dedicated to providing resources for mental wellness for student athletes. It’s called Hilinski’s Hope.
Over the past weekend, the Hilinski family overheard people talking about an idea to bring more awareness to mental health and athletes when South Carolina takes on Alabama this Saturday.
“The idea was in order to sort of draw attention to mental health in sports, the entire stadium would stand and hold three fingers in the air at the beginning of the Third Quarter in solidarity that we’re here for each other. That we recognize this problem isn’t going away,” said Mark Hilinski.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
The National Suicide Prevention Line is 1-800-273-8255
WLTX19 Article
Mental Health Advocacy Day
5/8/2019
Please come join us at the South Carolina State house grounds at the front steps.
Midlands Gives
5/7/2019
Today is Midlands Gives! Midlands Gives brings the region together as one community, raising money and awareness for Midlands nonprofits.
Please consider giving to Work In Progress today if you already haven’t.
https://www.midlandsgives.org/index.php?section=organizations&action=newDonation_org&fwID=402
Thank you to to Midlands Gives- https://www.midlandsgives.org/index.php
And to Central Carolina Community Foundation- https://yourfoundation.org/
AND the sponsors of Midlands Gives!!
Early Worm?
5/2/19
Dear Work In Progress Friends,
We are in need of your financial help. The individuals living in the midlands who experience the symptoms of a mental illness are in need of employment and many life necessities. Mark your calendars now for Tuesday, May 7th.
If you want to schedule to donate now ahead of time and be the early bird 
https://www.midlandsgives.org/index.php?section=organizations&action=newDonation_org&fwID=402
Work In Progress, Inc is participating in the Midlands Gives, fundraising blitz, sponsored by the Central Carolina Community Foundation.
Forward this message to your friends. Please encourage them to participate too. We can all make a difference in a person’s recovery from the barriers created by mental illness. Every gift, no matter how small or large, makes a difference!
Why is this day so important for giving? Midlands Gives provides us with many other opportunities to multiply our gifts on May 7th
Donate Now- https://www.midlandsgives.org/index.php?section=organizations&action=newDonation_org&fwID=402
During Midlands Gives, contributions of just $20 or more are amplified through sponsored prize incentives thanks to the Community Foundation’s Corporate Philanthropy Champions. Your gift could help your favorite nonprofit win one of the following prizes:
- AFLAC POWER HOURS | 12 prizes totaling $30,000
$2,500 added to one small budget and one large budget nonprofit that has the most unique donors during the following hours: 7 – 8 & 10 to 11 AM, 12 to 12:59 PM,4 – 5 PM 6 to 7 PM 11 PM to 11:59 PM
- DOMINION ENERGY ENERGIZE PRIZE | 40 prizes totaling $40,000
If total donations reach $1 Million by 5:30 PM on May 7th, Dominion will award $1,000 to 40 randomly drawn nonprofits. The drawing will be done live at Midlands Gives headquarters at 5:45 PM on May 7th.
- NEPHRON CHAMPION PAGE CHALLENGE | 5 prizes totaling $5,000
$1,000 awarded to five randomly drawn nonprofits from the Champion Pages that have at least $100 in donations by 8 PM on May 7.
- BB&T MILESTONE PRIZES | 5 prizes totaling $5,000
$1,000 awarded to the nonprofit that receives the gift that achieves one of the following giving milestones: $250,000, $500,000, $1 million, $1.5 million
- SOUTH STATE BANK FIRST GIFT PRIZE | 2 prizes totaling $2,000
$1,000 awarded to one small budget and one large budget nonprofit who receives the first gift of the day in their size category
Let everyone know! Mark your calendar! Just don’t forget to donate on May 7th using this link. Thank you for your generous support.
https://www.midlandsgives.org/index.php?section=organizations&action=newDonation_org&fwID=402
Midlands Gives is Coming Our Way! 4/7/19
4/30/2019
Midlands Gives is NEXT Tuesday on May 7th, 2019. We are excited and hopeful that you can help us with the necessities that our work candidates NEED for WORK and LIFE!
Please check our Midlands Gives page for more information!
https://www.midlandsgives.org/work-in-progress?fbclid=IwAR1P-E2KfYE5dEkDlIVOB6YD1iB8LIQWHmqBPrxHvzfA4zanBA8We293XQM
Work In Progress ~ Columbia, SC 