READOUT: Assistant Secretary Taryn Williams applauds efforts of US Conference of Mayors to support workers’ mental health

WASHINGTON – At a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams applauded the launch of the Mental Health and Employment Working Group as it seeks to identify policies, plans and practices to address and support workers’ mental health needs in the nation’s cities.

In opening remarks at the conference’s Executive Leadership Meeting in Miami, Williams praised the collaboration between the department’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability and the conference that led to the working group’s development. The department’s ODEP and mayors across the nation are aligned in efforts to effect policy changes to ensure workers have access to workplace mental health support.

“When it comes to mental health, America’s workplaces have a critical role to play. That’s why we at the Labor Department are committed to helping employers – including state and local public-sector agencies – understand the steps they can take to promote mental health-friendly work environments,” said Assistant Secretary Taryn Williams. “We’re pleased to call the U.S. Conference of Mayors a partner in the State Exchange on Employment and Disability initiative and look forward to the knowledge-sharing and collaboration that the Mental Health and Employment Working Group will foster.”

Learn more about the State Exchange on Employment and Disability initiative.

The National Center for Health Statistics’ Household Pulse Survey finds an increasing number of adults are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression since 2020. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds a growing number of adults reporting lingering COVID-19 symptoms such as anxiety, stress and other mental health conditions.