May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and SOURCE recently sat down with Fabiana Di Camillo, employee health and well-being program coordinator in the Division of Human Resources, to talk about that topic and resources available to CSU employees.

Di Camillo said mental health has become an even bigger societal issue since the pandemic, and she emphasized that it’s good to seek help for yourself or others early on, before mental health issues progress too far.

One of CSU Human Resources’ top priorities is taking care of CSU employees, and one way this is done is by providing benefits and resources around well-being and mental health.

The Q&A below contains some excerpts from the conversation with Di Camillo, who oversees the Employee Assistance Program.

SOURCE: Why is the mental health of CSU employees so important?

DI CAMILLO: In its 2023 Work in America Survey, the American Psychological Association found that 92% of respondents said it is very or somewhat important to them to work for an organization that provides support for employee mental health. So, beyond the desire to retain a high-quality workforce by offering competitive benefits and resources, it’s just the right thing to do. With many of our waking hours spent at work, the environment we cultivate within our organization significantly influences our mental well-being.

SOURCE: What are some signs that someone is struggling with mental health issues?

DI CAMILLO: It’s crucial to remain observant of our colleagues and those in our circles, because being attuned to their well-being allows us to pick up on any shifts or signals indicating they might not be doing OK. These signs could manifest as mood fluctuations, increased irritability, struggles with concentration, frequent absences, and alterations in appetite and motivation.

SOURCE: Are there any free resources available for CSU employees who are dealing with a mental health challenge?

DI CAMILLO: Yes, the Employee Assistance Program offers benefits-eligible faculty and staff up to six free, confidential counseling sessions with a counselor. In addition, employees can engage in free, confidential sessions with a well-being coach.

SOURCE: What other resources are available?

DI CAMILLO: CSU employees can log in to GuidanceResources, ComPsych’s online portal using the web ID “CSUEAP” to access a host of services and webinars, confidential counseling, well-being coaching, legal support, financial information, and other personalized work-life resources.  

I would like to encourage our employees to feel empowered to reach out directly to me or ComPsych without hesitation to seek information and support. My email address is Fabiana.Di_Camillo@colostate.edu.