Access to mental health care resources shouldn’t add more strain to already-stressed employees.
One-quarter of employees say their mental health has deteriorated during COVID, and 40% are dealing with a mental health condition like anxiety or depression, according to Lyra Health. Yet 56% of employees did not seek care and 40% did not know whether their employer offered benefits that would help them.
Virtual platforms and tools are making mental health care more accessible and affordable than ever. More than half of employers have boosted their mental health benefits in response to COVID-19, and 79% offer an employee assistance program with mental health support, according to the Society of Human Resource Management.
Read more: Mental health and telehealth apps come of age amid coronavirus crisis
“An employer has to communicate and educate employees on what's available,” says Nancy Reardon, chief strategy and product officer at Maestro Health. “Meet people where they are. Some people may want to talk to someone in person, and some people want to interact over texts and chats and that works for them.”
With mental health top of mind for so many employers, these low-cost options can be a gateway to seeking further care and help employees manage their day-to-day stress.