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secondary disability; consultation between supervisor and employee about reasonable accommodation; and employee education and manager training specific to disabilities related to mental disorders.
* Workers Compensation. EAPs can work with employees and management to prevent the circumstances leading to an accident or injury; facilitate early return to work and the prevention of secondary disabilities; and assist in identifying problems that may predispose employees to on the job accidents, injuries, and severe or persistent job-related stress.
* Family and Medical Leave Act. EAPs may inform an individual of his or her leave benefit as well as coordinate all other benefits under programs such as health insurance or workers' compensation. Other roles related to EAP services already in place include: counseling and referrals, consultation between a supervisor and employee about leave, and employee education and manager training specific to the FMLA.
* Mental Health Parity Laws. In addition, to the federal Mental Health Parity Act, many states have their own laws relevant to mental health parity. EAP staff should be aware of the impact of these laws on the scope of mental health services provided through their designated health insurance plans.
*EAP professionals regulate their profession under the National Employee Assistance Program Standards, recommended by the Employee Assistance Professional Association and the professional certification requirements of the Employee Assistance Certification Commission. Other that self-regulation, the profession is largely unregulated at the federal or state level, although professionals in a number of states have lobbied lawmakers to consider establishing state and federal licensing regulations. (BNA, 1996-1999)
The Economic Burden of Mental Illness Nationally
FACTS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS 55
The following facts regarding the scope of mental illness are important in order to fully understand its economic impact in the United States.
MENTAL ILLNESS FACTS FOR THE U.S. (1996)
Annual office visits to physicians
* for mental disorders: 31.8 million
* for schizophrenic disorders: 1.9 million
* for depression : 4.7 million
* for anxiety: 4.3 million
Psychopharmacologic drug mentions in office practice: 81 million
* Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
* More than 40 million people have psychiatric impairments; of those 4 to 5 million are considered seriously mentally ill.56
* One in every five families is affected by a severe mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia.
