Could an education benefit prevent diseases of despair?
Have you heard the term Diseases of Despair? I hadn’t until today but couldn’t help but think at least some of the drug abuse problem was a function of the fact that life just sucks for some Americans.
How do we make it better?
1/ If you think about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the foundation includes the basic things people need to sustain life [housing, food and water etc.] and feel safe.
2/ If you think about how to move people up the hierarchy, they need education, job training and coaching to develop the life skills needed to be independent and successful.
The problem is two fold.
1/ Many Americans have been without a foundation for a long time. They need healthcare and in many cases, lots of healthcare to restore their health.
2/ The other problem is that the foundation is still eroding for many Americans. If foundations continue to fail, more will suffer Diseases of Despair. It’s likely stressful for employees at the breaking point.
Leaders need to address the problem with social programs and stem the tide by investing in people. Extending wellness programs to include an unrestricted benefit for online education might help stem the tide. It’s an affordable offering for employers to consider.
