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In fast-paced and demanding work environments, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. Employees who are mentally well are more productive, engaged, and satisfied with their jobs.
Mental health treatment, including therapy, medication, and self-care, can help people who are experiencing mental illness. However, taking that first step toward recovery or seeking help can be challenging. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that the average delay between the onset of mental health symptoms and treatment is 11 years. A myriad of factors, such as cost, access, and stigma, can hold workers back from receiving the mental health support and treatment they need. Employers can help employees overcome these barriers, understand available treatment options, and start their recovery journey.
This article explores barriers to mental health care and ways employers can help break them down to support employees holistically.
The Importance of Mental Health Benefits
Before delving into the strategies, it’s crucial to understand why mental health benefits are so essential in the workplace:
Improved employee well-being
Mental health benefits help employees manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, which can lead to improved overall well-being and happiness.
Increased productivity
Employees with access to mental health support are more likely to be productive, as they can better manage work-related stress and challenges.
Reduced absenteeism
Mental health benefits can help reduce absenteeism caused by mental health issues, leading to employer cost savings. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that depression alone causes an estimated 200 million lost workdays each year, costing employers $17 billion to $44 billion.
Enhanced employee engagement
Employees who feel supported in their mental health are more engaged and committed to their jobs and the company.
Talent attraction and retention
Offering robust mental health benefits can make an organization more attractive to potential employees and help retain current talent.
While more employers may focus on their businesses’ bottom line, mental health support is not to be overlooked as it can have ripple effects. A 2023 study by mindfulness app Calm found that for every $1 invested in employees’ mental health, employers can save $2-$4 on other expenses, such as health care costs – that’s a win-win in today’s economic climate. Employee mental health is more important than ever before, and employers are in a position to offer resources and support their employees.
Removing Mental Health Benefits Barriers
More employers recognize the significance of promoting mental well-being in the workplace and offer a range of mental health benefits to support their employees. However, barriers can still prevent employees from accessing these essential benefits. To address the numerous barriers to mental health care, employers can consider the following strategies for increasing access to proper care and normalizing mental health support:
Review benefits offerings
One way to address employee mental health is by ensuring mental health is incorporated into healthcare offerings. These are some popular benefits or policies:
- Inclusive health insurance plans with mental health coverage
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible work arrangements
- Paid caregiving leave
- Mental health days
Educate about available benefits
In addition to educating employees about available mental health benefits and resources, employers can explain how to leverage other benefits to make mental health treatment and services more attainable or offset out-of-pocket expenses. For example, funds from health savings and flexible spending accounts can generally be used for mental health therapy.
Reduce the stigma
Employers can build trust with employees by showing them they won’t be fired or punished for mental health issues. They can do this by openly discussing mental health in the workplace, encouraging self-care, and allowing flexible scheduling for employees to get mental health treatment. Additionally, employers can educate employees on improving their mental health with in-office training on self-care, stress management, and mental health issues.
Promote work-life balance
Employees who feel they have a good balance between their jobs and personal lives are likelier to be healthy, happy, and productive workers. Organizations can foster a healthy work-life balance among workers by providing them the time and flexibility they need for a flourishing personal life, requiring them to take minimum vacation time, and encouraging them to unplug from their jobs when not in the office or outside of working hours. Additionally, flexible work schedules can allow employees sufficient time to seek and obtain mental health services.
Support caregiver responsibilities
The COVID-19 pandemic put caregiving in the spotlight, illuminating the mental health challenges that they can face. While caregivers often focus on others, they should also care for their mental health.
Support employee wellness
Exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep habits are crucial for mental health and resilience. Employers can boost employees’ mental health by encouraging healthy behaviors through wellness programs and offering employee incentives, such as healthy lunches and free gym memberships. Employers should also consider offering employee assistance benefits (e.g., free counseling or therapy) to help employees struggling with mental health or other problems.
Summary
Mental health challenges are prevalent in the workplace. Fortunately, employers can be impactful by supporting and facilitating mentally healthy workplaces. They can boost employee mental health and overall wellness by creating open and trusting work environments and providing employees with mental health resources and support.
© 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
Provide Employee Mental Health Benefits
If you want to add mental health support to your employee benefits offerings, learn how the GTM Insurance Agency can help. They can assemble a package of benefits for your employees that makes sense for them and your business. Get a free quote today.
By obtaining your employee health benefits through GTM, you can seamlessly integrate these offerings with your payroll platform, making it easy for employees to sign up and manage their benefits. You’ll gain efficiencies, minimize data entry errors, eliminate the time spent transferring between systems, and reduce administrative costs. Learn more.
