If an employer doesn't understand the cycle of behavioral health conditions, it can make the situation worse for the employee. (Photo: Shutterstock)

People often spend more time with their co-workers than they do with their actual families. And sometimes these co-workers become an employee's "work family." Family often notices when a member is suffering from a behavioral health condition, such as a mental health or substance use problem, and the work family is no different. While behavioral health was once seen as a taboo topic, it is important to discuss it — both at work and outside of it.

Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Statistically speaking, encountering behavioral health conditions in the workplace — and in life — is inevitable. However, how employers choose to understand and address these conditions is what matters. While behavioral health conditions used to be judged and misunderstood, more employers want to provide the support their employees need.

Related: Employers' mental health strategies coming into the spotlight