Montgomery County Government Receives ‘Gold Bell Seal’ Award for Being a National Leader in Workplace Mental Health

Patrick Herron July 17, 2023 at 4:51pm

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Government has received a prestigious 2022-23 “Gold Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health” award. The award recognizes the County’s employee-centered programs and efforts aimed at promoting mental health in the workplace. The Bell Seal National Certification program, led by Mental Health America (MHA), annually recognizes a small number of leading employers committed to creating mentally healthy work environments for employees.

“We are honored to be recognized by Mental Health America for our efforts to raise awareness, reduce stigma and increase access to mental health resources and programs,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.“Mental well-being in the workplace is no longer secondary to physical health, and it is important as an employer to make space for it. It is important to support our employees in their health journeys, both physically and mentally.”

To attain the certification, the County underwent a rigorous 58-criteria evaluation of workplace policies and practices that influence worker mental health outcomes. The rating criteria included workplace culture, benefits, compliance and wellness programs.

Several industries are represented in the Bell Seal program, including financial services, government, health care, manufacturing and other industries. Organizational sizes range from five to more than 450,000 workers, including part-time and full-time employees.

The “LiveWell” program offered by Montgomery County’s Office of Human Resources, which is a holistic employee wellness program, played a significant role in the recognition.

County employees also have access to Mental Health First Aid Training, a nationally recognized, evidence-based program that helps participants assist a person in a mental health crisis or a person with a mental health condition. Mental Health America’s “Mind the Workplace” report found that only 46 percent of companies currently offer any mental health training.

As July marks “Minority Mental Health Month,” and the County is a majority minority County, the recognition as a Bell Seal-certified organization puts a spotlight on the County’s commitment to learn about various cultures, to create a diverse set of programs to support all employee mental wellness and reduce barriers to accessing mental health support in the workplace.

For further details about the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health program and to access the complete list of 2022-23 recipients, visit the Mental Health America website at https://www.mhanational.org/bestemployers.

To explore current job openings and learn more about Montgomery County Government’s award-winning work environment, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/Recruitment/MCGCareers.html.