Boiling Point: NWS Employees and Mental Illness

Boiling Point: NWS Employees & Mental Illness

Crystal Worley

Meteorologist, NWS Cheyenne, WY

National Weather Service (NWS) employees were surveyed on their workplace experiences with mental illness. A Google survey was distributed to only NWS employees via NWS Facebook groups and email, and it was open from June 11, 2019 until July 15, 2019. 107 anonymous responses were received. Employees who responded to the survey were meteorologists, managers, electronic technicians, information technology officers, administration, and other NWS staff including a few retired employees. The results from the survey highlighted that a large percentage of the sample suffer from a mental illness. In addition, a majority of the respondents feel the weather service does not provide adequate resources for those struggling with mental illness. The statements below were collected in an open response inquiry at the end of the survey for respondents to share additional information:

• “I feel trapped.”
• “...with coming out with a learning disorder, ADD and anxiety there’s been a bit of bullying going on in my workplace towards me.”
• “(I’m) afraid to get professional help as it might make me look bad on background checks or in other ways in getting a promotion.”
• “Depression and anxiety has been debilitating for me, despite 20+ years of medication and therapy. There is also a stigma against men with mental illness.”

This research seeks to personalize and normalize mental illness in the National Weather Service not only with results from the survey, but also quotes from weather service employees and pictures of those struggling with mental illness. Mental illness does not have one “face,” and while often not visible, it is still an illness. Similar to the flu or broken bone or other physical ailment, mental illness affects our job performance, quality of life, and work and personal relationships. Therefore, it requires the same medical support. I myself have struggled with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts during the past year that I have been in the weather service. I have sought help from outside health services, but it is my sincerest hope that through this research and more that I plan to do in the future, resources inside the weather service will improve. The first step is admitting a problem exists. Each and every one of us has our boiling point, and it’s okay if we cannot turn off the heat alone.