3 keys: Taking mental health benefits to the next level

The coronavirus pandemic has underscored how beneficial it is to have mental healthcare resources for your employees to keep stress, anxiety and burnout under control. But is your workforce getting the most out of your firm’s investment in their well-being? Here are some ways to enhance those mental health benefits programs. 

Expand access

An employee assistance program (EAP) offers support services to participating staff. Employees and their families can request assessments, referrals and counseling.

Because EAPs are a voluntary benefit, it can be offered to your part-time employees, an employee’s family members or employees covered by a family member’s health plan.

Create incentives

According to a Workplace Options survey, more than half of Americans incorrectly believe that mental health care isn’t covered by their health plan. An effective way to clear up this misunderstanding is employee engagement campaigns and incentives.

One example is a wellness challenge where employees receive points for completing a series of tasks on a wellness portal. The one with the most points wins something like a trial subscription to online counseling provider Talkspace.

Ask questions

It’s a good idea for Benefits and HR to meet and find honest answers to these questions:

• Are your employees aware they can access mental health services via telehealth?
• Do they have appropriate time off available to get to their appointments?
• Do they feel confident there won’t be repercussions for using mental healthcare services?
• Does your customized benefits package have so many vendors involved that employees aren’t aware there’s mental health care?

Info: 3 tips for taking your mental health and well-being benefits to the next level