TAMPA — A new, free course teaches how to create a healthier and more productive workplace.

Mental Health & Wellness in the Workplace, a 7-session online course, is being offered by the University of South Florida College of Behavioral & Community Sciences and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

Participants from around the world will learn how to create a workplace culture that focuses on wellness and encourages employees to express issues related to their mental health and addiction.

"We have a mental health crisis in our country right now, and anything that we can do to raise awareness for people to understand what may be happening with their friends and colleagues around them, all the better,” said Dr. Julie Serovich, Dean of USF College of Behavioral & Community Sciences

Course creators stress the critical need to build a healthy workplace that helps protect a team's well-being.

"If I’m distracted, if I am worried, If I’m anxious I’m not being as productive as I possibly could be,” said Clara Reynolds, President & CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

"What we’re hoping to get out of this course is that supervisors, managers are not only going to recognize that but also be able to have a conversation.” 

CEO of Champions for Children Amy Haile registered for the course.  

"We want our employees to feel as strong and stable and centered as they can be so that they can be fully focused and work with the families that we serve,” said Haile, who leads the non-profit organization that provides Bay area families education and support to help provide a healthy home environment.

Haile wants to make sure her staff administering those services are supported, too.

"I’m always open to new ideas and the best way to learn that is through hearing from other people, other people in our community, other people across our country about what opportunities have they created,” said Haile.

Participants will learn how to create a workplace culture that focuses on wellness, how to have tough conversations and learn how behavioral health issues can impact a business’ bottom line.

The Mental Health & Wellness in the Workplace Course begins June 12.