How can you advocate for the individuals in your community or workplace in order to address the issues involved with the identified problem and to propose solutions?

Consider your community or workplace and a health problem they may be facing. For ideas review: Healthy People 2030
Healthy People 2030 | health.gov Links to an external site.
How can you advocate for the individuals in your community or workplace in order to address the issues involved with the identified problem and to propose solutions? Using evidence-based advocacy, address the following:
choose an issue that is grounded in science (need 2 current references)
determine the target individuals
have an understanding of these individuals
choose evidence that is appropriate for your audience
choose interventions or actions that are realistic for these individuals
determine an evaluation method for the intervention or actions
ANSWER
**Community or Workplace Health Problem: Mental Health**
Mental health is a major public health problem, affecting an estimated 1 in 5 adults in the United States each year. Mental health problems can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, including their work performance, relationships, and overall health and well-being.
**Target Individuals:** Employees in the workplace
**Understanding of Target Individuals:** Employees in the workplace may experience a variety of mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. These challenges can be caused by a variety of factors, including work overload, unrealistic expectations, lack of support from supervisors or colleagues, and job insecurity.
**Evidence:**
* A 2021 study by the American Psychological Association found that 79% of employees reported experiencing work-related stress in the past month.
* A 2022 study by the World Health Organization found that depression and anxiety are the leading causes of disability worldwide.
* A 2023 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1 in 3 adults in the United States reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.
**Appropriate Evidence for Audience:**
* Employees in the workplace may be familiar with statistics on the prevalence of mental health problems in the workplace. However, they may not be aware of the specific impact of mental health problems on their own productivity and well-being.
* To make the evidence more relevant to employees, it is important to focus on the personal benefits of addressing mental health problems. For example, you could share stories of employees who have benefited from mental health support, or you could provide information on the link between mental health and physical health.
**Realistic Interventions or Actions:**
* There are a number of realistic interventions and actions that can be taken to address mental health problems in the workplace. Some examples include:
* Providing employees with access to mental health resources, such as employee assistance programs or mental health benefits.
* Training supervisors and managers on how to recognize and respond to signs of mental distress in employees.
* Creating a workplace culture that is supportive of employee mental health. This could involve things like encouraging employees to take breaks, providing flexible work arrangements, and offering opportunities for stress management and relaxation.
**Evaluation Method:**
* To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or actions to address mental health problems in the workplace, you could collect data on employee satisfaction, productivity, and absenteeism. You could also conduct surveys or interviews with employees to get their feedback on the interventions and actions that are being offered.
**Advocacy:**
To advocate for employees in the workplace on the issue of mental health, you can:
* Talk to your supervisor or manager about the importance of mental health and the need for workplace support.
* Form a support group or employee resource group for employees who are struggling with mental health problems.
* Organize workshops or training sessions on mental health for employees.
* Promote mental health awareness initiatives in the workplace, such as Mental Health Awareness Month or National Stress Awareness Day.
By taking these steps, you can help to create a workplace that is more supportive of employee mental health. This can lead to a number of benefits, including improved employee morale, productivity, and retention.