* The increasing visibility of the disability rights movement and the passage of anti-discriminatory legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act; and the influence of mental health insurance parity laws, family leave laws, and rising workers' compensation claims for job-related mental health problems.

In response to these trends, employers are implementing human resource policies and programs designed to support employees in maintaining or improving health and enhancing their ability to be productive. Employers have also responded to the growing societal awareness of the impact of mental illness and the legal ramifications of pursuing discriminatory and less than equitable employment policies.

 

Where depression is concerned, effective employer policies and programs stress early identification and appropriate treatment referral and encompass a continuum of interventions. Experience has shown that leadership from top management is critical to the successful implementation of these efforts which include:¹⁰

* employee education for health promotion and disease prevention

* management training

* employee assistance services

* benefit design and administration

* information management

* integration of corporate health related services

Case studies: Ford Motor Company and The First National Bank of Chicago

FORD MOTOR COMPAGNY'S TOTAL HEALTH PROGRAM¹³

The Ford Motor Company is a worldwide leader in automotive and automotive-related products and in various financial services. While there are more than 370,000 employees worldwide, the following Total Health Program applies only to 44,000 salaried employees working in the United States and employed by the parent company. A comparable program is made available to Ford hourly employees represented by the United Auto Workers through the UAW Ford Employee Support Services Program. UAW is one of the largest worker unions in the United States.

The Total Health Program is part of Ford's major and ongoing change in corporate culture which began in the early 1980's The changes have directly affected the work environment by providing structure and support for employees so that they have greater involvement in planning and decision-making. These include encouraging managers to work with their employees in an interactive fashion which facilitates greater employee control and reduces uncertainty.

The Total Health Program is a combined employee assistance and health promotion program for salaried employees. One reason for integrating these programs was to reduce the stigma of seeking assistance for personal problems. Depression is one of many health and lifestyle concerns addressed by the program, reflecting the positioning of the program as a resource for personal, health, and lifestyle issues. Analysis of health care