Just Released: The Management of Workplace Mental Health Issues and Appropriate Disability Prevention Strategies, Pamela A. Warren, Ph. D.

Work Loss Data Institute – 03/24/05

San Diego, CA – A new report on the intricacies of mental health disorders in the workplace is now available.  Supported by over 800 references, the 140-page report, entitled, The Management of Workplace Mental Health Issues and Appropriate Disability Prevention Strategies, is designed to help understand, mitigate and manage the most common mental health disorders that arise in the workplace through an objective review and evaluation of best available evidence. 

As summarized within, mental disorders represent approximately 9% of total medical absence for employers in the United States, or about 77 lost workdays per 100 workers annually.  Based on annual direct medical absence costs of $253 billion, or total costs including indirect costs of $1.265 trillion, mental disorders are costing U.S. employers a staggering $114 billion per year in lost productivity.  The problem is not confined to the U.S., either, as it has become a global epidemic for the industrialized world.  In fact, psychological disability claims have increased over 300% in the past decade, a trend that is projected to continue unless appropriate management tools are put into immediate action. 

This newly released special report, authored by Pamela A. Warren, Ph.D. (Psychologist/Biofeedback, Urbana, Illinois), in collaboration with Work Loss Data Institute, focuses on the major mental health issues common in the workplace, current state-of-the-art treatment, as well as recommendations for addressing concerns before they escalate.  In her own words, Dr. Warren’s goal was “to research, analyze and impart the findings of the latest clinical studies on mental health disorders in a clear, concise way, providing an evidence-based guideline to address these issues and their prevalence in the workplace.  As a psychologist who practices in Occupational Psychology, I believe it is essential to help other professionals understand the impact of mental health disorders as well as the immense benefits to be reaped by following evidence-based medicine treatments.”

The Management of Workplace Mental Health Issues and Appropriate Disability Prevention Strategies is a succinct review of significant mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder (neurotic depression), bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders such as, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.  For each diagnosis, the report discusses epidemiology, prevalence, economic burden, assessment and diagnosis, risk factors, co-morbidity, causes, evidence-based treatments, treatment outcomes and return-to-work guidelines as well as outlining capability and activity modifications for early return-to-work opportunities.

Dr. Warren is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Occupational Health Psychology.  She maintains a clinical practice and provides professional consultation to employers, insurers, governmental agencies, case managers, and medical and mental health professionals on management and prevention of psychological disability.   Dr. Warren serves on the faculty at the University of Illinois in the School of Medicine and its Psychology Department and on various national Advisory Boards. 

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