The local Purdue Extension office is offering a new program called CREW, which addresses mental health in the workplace.
Shelley Swift | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — A local program is addressing mental health and substance abuse issues in the workplace.
The Hancock County Purdue Extension office has launched a new program called CREW — Compassion & Resilience Education at Work — which is now being offered by Purdue Extension health and human sciences educators throughout the state.
The program introduces employees to mental health and well-being resources while educating employers on the importance of mental health in the workplace, said Mandy Gray, the health and human science educator with Hancock County’s Purdue Extension office.
Gray said CREW is designed to help both employees and managers learn how to acknowledge the importance of mental health in the workplace, to recognize stress triggers and to better communicate when issues arise.
“It’s a big issue that needs addressing,” she said.
The local program is still in its infancy as Gray seeks out local employers who wish to share the program with their employees.
The CREW curriculum teaches employers how to monitor and address work-life balance and stress in the workplace while teaching employees the skills and tools to manage their own stress and mental health.
“It equips employees with tools and strategies to handle stress, adversity and change,” said Gray.
“Given the challenges and stressors of today’s work environment, fostering these qualities can lead to a more supportive, understanding and productive work setting,” she said.
The CREW program is also designed to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and substance use.
According to the program’s promotional materials, “concern about mental health and substance use in the workplace — and their effect on productivity, employee satisfaction and turnover — is rising in the United States, yet many work cultures struggle to overcome long-held stigmas about mental health to address it effectively.”
Gray said the program can shed light on the stigmas that exist in those areas and help employers gain a better understanding of the types of challenges their employees may be experiencing.
She’s hopeful a number of local employers will see the value in the CREW initiative and reach out to have the program offered in workplaces throughout the county.
“By fostering compassion and resilience in the workplace, the CREW program has the potential to significantly improve employee well-being and organizational culture. I anticipate that employers will recognize these benefits and be keen to introduce the program to their teams,” Gray said.
Employers or others who wish to learn more about the CREW program are encouraged to contact the local Purdue Extension office for more information.
“We warmly welcome collaborations. Organizations, agencies or mental health partners are encouraged to reach out to us if they wish to introduce this beneficial program to their staff,” said Gray. “Should any of them desire to sponsor a program, that would be greatly appreciated and beneficial for expanding its reach.”
Gray said the CREW program can be adapted to various industries and workplaces. While its target audience is front-line employees, the program’s secondary audience includes employers, managers, supervisors and human resources personnel.
“Local employees can benefit from the CREW program as it provides them with skills to manage stress, improve interpersonal relationships and foster a positive work culture,” she said. “By learning about compassion and resilience, employees can navigate challenges more effectively, leading to improved mental well-being, job satisfaction and overall productivity.”
The CREW program is available both in-person and virtually. The lessons are broken down into three topics — work-life balance, stress management and stigma reduction — which can be taught in separate one-hour sessions or in a series.
The cost is $195 per session for up to 20 employees.
For more information, contact Mandy Gray at 317-462-1113 or [email protected].
