Employer testifies mental‑health investments boost productivity and retention; urges state support

David Reif, vice president of manufacturing at White Castle, told the House Children and Human Services Committee that investments in mental health and substance‑use services in the state budget would improve workforce participation, productivity and employer retention.

Reif described company efforts to destigmatize mental health, provide employee resources and train managers to spot warning signs. He said nearly one in four adults report a mental health condition each year and that many do not seek treatment. Reif cited research that workers with untreated mild mental‑health issues miss an average of 9.3 hours per week and those with more serious conditions miss about 12.5 hours per week; he said improving access to care has strong economic returns.

Reif described White Castle’s internal supports—employee resource guides, EAP access, connections to 988 and training for general managers on crisis response and early intervention. He urged lawmakers to fund behavioral health initiatives in the governor’s proposed budget, saying such investments would reduce lost productivity and healthcare costs and make Ohio’s labor market more competitive.

During testimony Reif disclosed a personal family loss: he said his adult son, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, died by suicide five years earlier, and he framed that background as a reason for his advocacy and for breaking stigma in workplaces. Committee members responded with appreciation for his candor and said they would work to identify employer tools and best practices to help businesses coordinate supports.

Ending: Reif encouraged the committee to consider employer toolkits and funding to make mental‑health resources easier to access for businesses and employees; no formal action was taken at the hearing.