Dr. Joel Axler Featured In HR Executive: Why HR Needs to Rethink Disaster Preparedness

February 3, 2025

We are proud to share that Dr. Joel Axler, a respected leader in behavioral health at Brown & Brown, has been featured in a recent HR Executive article, "Why HR Needs to Rethink Disaster Preparedness."

Dr. Axler offers several proactive steps HR can take to ensure disaster preparedness centers on employee wellbeing:

• Expand EAP offerings and increase awareness about access.
• Incorporate Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in the workforce to help normalize mental health conversation in the workplace.
• Build a culture of mental health awareness.
• Host regular workshops on stress management, resilience building and mindfulness, anddevelop peer support groups and employee resource groups.
• Conduct regular surveys to measure satisfaction with and utilization rates of mental health benefits. Adapt to the needs of the workforce, and adjust benefits offerings based on emerging trends such as the rise of digital mental health tools.

“Implementing sustainable mental health initiatives, especially with disasters like the California wildfires, ensures employees have consistent access to care, fosters a supportive workplace culture and improves overall wellbeing in the long term,” Axler says.

You can read more of Dr. Axler's insights in the HR Executive article.