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April 7, 2025
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – With various industries experiencing employee shortages, the demands on existing employees – such as working longer hours and doing work that would otherwise be done by someone else – can sometimes lead to increased stress.
According to a February 2023 study by The American Institute of Stress, 83% of U.S. workers suffer from work-related stress, with 25% saying their job is the No. 1 stressor in their lives.
Furthermore, the institute estimates job stress costs U.S. industry as a whole more than $300 billion in losses due to absenteeism, diminished productivity and accidents.
Additionally, it states work-related stress costs the U.S. $190 billion in annual healthcare costs.
“In Wisconsin specifically, overall our mental health is getting worse,” Chris Stanaszak – a licensed professional counselor with Sherman Counseling of Wisconsin – said. “In 2022, we ranked No. 1 in mental health (well-being), but have fallen 12 spots since. Last year, Mental Health America reported we dropped from the best state in the country for mental health to the 13th.”
Given these statistics, Stanaszak said it behooves employers and company leadership to create a healthy workplace when it comes to employees’ mental health – a critical aspect of overall workforce well-being and organizational success.
To help support these efforts, Stanaszak said Sherman Counseling of Wisconsin is expanding its footprint in the Fox Valley area.
Sherman Counseling of Wisconsin offices, he said, have historically been smaller agencies located throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Though some of them have closed in recent years, Stanaszak said the ones that remain – in De Pere (2071A Lawrence Drive), Appleton (W6144 Aerotech Drive) and Oshkosh (222 Ohio St.) – have become part of Optum Behavioral Care and the growing Optum family of businesses.
In the near future, he said Sherman Counseling of Wisconsin will open an office in Fond du Lac.
Stanaszak said licensed and experienced clinical counselors, therapists and psychiatrists offer a variety of personalized treatment options, including stress management services, men’s work individual therapy, women’s work individual therapy and trauma and grief counseling.
In addition to its in-office services, Stanaszak said Sherman Counseling has telehealth options as well.
A list of all services available at Sherman Counseling of Wisconsin, he said, is available at sherman-counseling.com.
Talk openly about stress, other issues
Stanaszak said creating a healthy workplace starts at the top.
“I think that’s No. 1,” he said. “It’s about creating a culture of being able to talk about these things… I think that adds to an employee (being) more willing, more open, to approach leadership with those kinds of things.”
Stanaszak said these days, there’s less of a negative stigma surrounding mental health treatment or counseling than there used to be.
“I definitely think that stigma is drifting away where individuals are feeling more comfortable, more open to talking about some of these things,” he said.
Stanaszak said this is partly due to generational perception.
“I’m finding some individuals who are in their 60s being more okay with coming in (than they perhaps used to be)…,” he said. “What I find is if individuals came from families who really didn’t talk about mental health, it makes it more challenging for individuals to start (therapy)… But I do find more and more in today’s world that individuals are more open to talking.”
Stanaszak said younger generations are more open to talking about their feelings and stressors and have a stronger focus on maintaining a good work-life balance.
“We have lives outside of work, and I think it’s important to recognize the demands that employees experience outside of work,” he said. “It’s important for employers and managers to also be aware and acknowledge that (having a) work-life balance setting is important.”
To promote that healthy work-life balance, Stanaszak said more and more companies are offering hybrid working options or flex work schedules, paid volunteer hours and childcare cost support.
Being on the lookout for potential problems employees might be experiencing, he said, is also important.
“It’s not just the responsibility of leadership (to watch for signs),” he said. “(I think we all have) to be responsible for everyone that we work with. It’s about being mindful of a team member who is struggling. It’s okay to ask someone if they’re okay.”
Looking for those signs, Stanaszak said, could make a big difference.
“I’ve done this personally in previous work, where I’ve approached my bosses and said ‘Hey, I’ve noticed that so-and-so just seems really down. I’ve talked to them and I wonder if you might be able to just simply reach out,’” he said. “I think being transparent is really important.”
Creating a supportive culture
When actively creating a supportive culture, Stanaszak said surveys can sometimes help figure out “where the blind spots in their organization” might be.
“All levels (of the company) should have a say,” he said. “For example, a front desk (employee) will have a different perspective than other team members. I think (creating an environment) and avenues for dialogue are one of the bigger things companies can do.”
Stanaszak said employers can also establish mental health awareness programs and offer counseling or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
When leaders prioritize mental health and share their own experiences, he said it can give employees the confidence to do the same.
Stanaszak said some other ways companies can support employee mental health and overall well-being include:
- Promoting mental health and well-being, such as through town halls, emails and intranet articles
- Encouraging employees to check out when their workday ends, use vacation time and stay home when sick
- Promoting stress management by encouraging employees to take breaks
- Creating safe spaces for employees to connect and support one another, such as through employee resource groups
- Regularly sharing mental health resources to raise awareness
- Asking for feedback
- Highlighting Mental Health Awareness Month, Recovery Month and World Mental Health Day
Stanaszak said the benefits of prioritizing mental health in the workplace extend beyond individual well-being.
Organizations that invest in mental health support, he said, often see improvements in employee morale, productivity and retention.
Furthermore, Stanaszak said taking proactive steps to create a mentally healthy workplace sends a message to employees they are valued – not just for their work, but as individuals.
This, he said, builds trust, can strengthen team dynamics and contributes to long-term success.
