Although so many people are affected by mental illnesses, few receive the treatment they need, and if an employer fails to help its employees overcome these illnesses, it can expect to see reduced productivity and engagement, says Michael Klachefsky, national practice leader of The Standard's Workplace Possibilities program.

With mental illnesses, there are two situations that can negatively affect an employer, Klachefsky says. One is employees missing work because of mental illnesses, which are most often depression and anxiety, and the other is referred to as presenteeism, meaning an employee is still on the job but suffering from these mental illnesses.

Engagement is often defined as helping employees feel satisfied with their jobs, allowing them to connect their individual objectives with the company's strategic goals; however, that is unlikely to happen when an employee is suffering from a mental illness, Klachefsky says. When an employee is facing a mental illness, corporate goals are not the priority for that person.