Johnson & Johnson Transforming Minds About Mental Health
Originally published on Johnson& Johnson
Our employees are the heart, mind and soul of Johnson & Johnson. They power both the health of our organization, and their own healthy lives. That’s why we are committed to empowering and inspiring employees through a culture of health that embraces physical, financial, spiritual and mental wellbeing.
Our Opportunity
Foster a culture of inclusion by removing the stigma associated with mental health
Our Actions and Outcomes
The Alliance for Diverse Abilities (ADA) Employee Resource Group (ERG) recognized an opportunity to build more awareness and acceptance of mental health and neurodiversity. In 2017, ADA created a vision to transform the world’s mind about mental health with the creation of the Mental Health Diplomats (MHDi), a group of employees who champion better appreciation of mental health across Johnson & Johnson and in our communities.
In 2018, Under the ADA ERG, the MHDi
- Offered mental health awareness training where participants were trained to respond in LOVE: L(isten), O(bserve), V(alidate), E(ncourage)
- Expanded the focus of ADA to include mental health, and became one of the fastest-growing ERGs, expanding from five to 32 countries in one year
- Held 100+ employee events in 30+ countries on World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2018
The MHDi provide resources, training and support to employees and their families. The group has been focusing on information related to depression—the most prevalent mental health condition—and on suicide prevention. The MHDi enable people with common conditions and caregivers to have a sense of belonging and community as well as the support and energy to make a difference. The group hosts a monthly speaker series to educate the global Johnson & Johnson community on mental health and the need to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. It has also partnered with Johnson & Johnson Global Health Services to create mental health awareness training for managers, empowering them to hold conversations about mental health with employees and encourage them to access Employee Assistance Programs.
To learn more about the MHDi, the ADA ERG or our 11 other ERGs, click here.
Johnson & Johnson's Leadership
Co-led by Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky, the American Heart Association CEO Roundtable in 2018 commissioned the Mental Health: A Workforce Crisis report, to support employees and their families facing mental health challenges. Take a look here.
Employees are transforming our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) journey. Read more stories in our Culture, Diverse Workforce and Business Results pillars.
