It's estimated that one in five adults in the United States are living with some sort of mental illness. Mental health is an issue that can affect anyone and can impact every part of someone's life.
Many organizations are beginning to realize the importance of prioritizing employee well-being, which goes beyond physical health to encompass emotional health, financial health, social well-being, career, community and purpose. In fact, a recent survey found that 68% of senior HR leaders rated employee well-being and mental health as a top priority.
Acrisure's Employee Benefits team helps companies of all sizes create offerings that meet the evolving needs of their employees. Here are three solutions our leaders have seen that are making an impact on mental health in the workplace:
Virtual Offerings
The number of virtual mental health solutions is on the rise and can often be a great supplement to more traditional clinical offerings.
"It can be daunting to visit someone face-to-face and it's often difficult to get on the schedule to be seen," said Logan Barry, Senior Vice President and Director of Strategy for Employee Benefits at Acrisure. "We've seen a real uptick by removing barriers and making it more comfortable for people to access help virtually."
Acrisure offers colleagues a free subscription to the Calm app, which offers content to support mental health practices including meditation, breathwork, work life, movement, music and sleep.
Workplace Training
Outside of offering resources and plans to help employees, it's also important to create awareness of mental health in the workplace and ensure employees feel comfortable expressing when they are having a problem.
Psychological safety is when employees feel free to speak up in the workplace. Promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma are important steps to ensuring psychological safety. Training can help managers and supervisors to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, consider whether it may be playing a factor in workplace issues such as absenteeism and engagement, and equip them to connect employees to the resources they need.
Acrisure recently partnered with Truusight, which is a workplace solution for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. One part of Truusight's unique model includes education that helps eliminate barriers and create spaces for open conversation.
Peer-to-Peer Models
There is a growing use of peer-to-peer support in the mental health space, which connects employees to trained people within their organization or in their industry for help.
"People today are looking for a multitude of options when it comes to mental health services," said Michael Naparalla, Acrisure's Chief Health Director. "It's not just for when they are in crisis, but more of that peer-to-peer support on a daily basis."
Peer conversations can be a great outlet for someone who is facing a tough situation or a particularly bad day and doesn't have the need for ongoing clinical or licensed support. This service supplements more traditional outlets offered through Employee Assistance Programs.
Where to Start
An easy, and free, place to begin is to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace and help reduce the stigma. This is also the goal of World Mental Health Day, which occurs each year on October 10.
"Our first step is to talk to our clients about the stigma surrounding mental health and how to normalize the conversation within the workspace," said Victoria Stump, Vice President Director of Health Informatics & Clinical Evaluation at Acrisure.
"Once we understand their needs and the mental health challenges their members are facing, we can identify trends and insights within the data and direct them to the right resources, such as increasing communication around mental well-being and their current mental health benefits, EAP options, or partnering with a preferred vendor to provide an additional layer of support for the members."
If you would like help exploring solutions for your employees, contact Acrisure today!
Need Help?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available:
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The products or services identified, referenced or described herein may not be available in all jurisdictions. The information and descriptions contained herein (a) are not intended to be complete descriptions of all applicable terms, conditions, and exclusions of any insurance policies referenced, as applicable, (b) are provided solely for general informational purposes, and (c) should not be viewed as a substitute for legal, medical, regulatory, or other advice, professional or otherwise, on any particular issue or for any particular reason. The advice of a professional should always be obtained when considering and before purchasing any insurance product or service, and you should not rely on the information provided herein for the prevention or mitigation of risks, or as a full and complete explanation of coverage under any insurance policy. While the information contained herein has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty, guarantee, or representation, either expressed or implied, is made as to the correctness or sufficiency of any representation contained herein.
© Acrisure, LLC. All rights reserved.
Many organizations are beginning to realize the importance of prioritizing employee well-being, which goes beyond physical health to encompass emotional health, financial health, social well-being, career, community and purpose. In fact, a recent survey found that 68% of senior HR leaders rated employee well-being and mental health as a top priority.
Acrisure's Employee Benefits team helps companies of all sizes create offerings that meet the evolving needs of their employees. Here are three solutions our leaders have seen that are making an impact on mental health in the workplace:
Virtual Offerings
The number of virtual mental health solutions is on the rise and can often be a great supplement to more traditional clinical offerings.
"It can be daunting to visit someone face-to-face and it's often difficult to get on the schedule to be seen," said Logan Barry, Senior Vice President and Director of Strategy for Employee Benefits at Acrisure. "We've seen a real uptick by removing barriers and making it more comfortable for people to access help virtually."
Acrisure offers colleagues a free subscription to the Calm app, which offers content to support mental health practices including meditation, breathwork, work life, movement, music and sleep.
Workplace Training
Outside of offering resources and plans to help employees, it's also important to create awareness of mental health in the workplace and ensure employees feel comfortable expressing when they are having a problem.
Psychological safety is when employees feel free to speak up in the workplace. Promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma are important steps to ensuring psychological safety. Training can help managers and supervisors to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, consider whether it may be playing a factor in workplace issues such as absenteeism and engagement, and equip them to connect employees to the resources they need.
Acrisure recently partnered with Truusight, which is a workplace solution for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. One part of Truusight's unique model includes education that helps eliminate barriers and create spaces for open conversation.
Peer-to-Peer Models
There is a growing use of peer-to-peer support in the mental health space, which connects employees to trained people within their organization or in their industry for help.
"People today are looking for a multitude of options when it comes to mental health services," said Michael Naparalla, Acrisure's Chief Health Director. "It's not just for when they are in crisis, but more of that peer-to-peer support on a daily basis."
Peer conversations can be a great outlet for someone who is facing a tough situation or a particularly bad day and doesn't have the need for ongoing clinical or licensed support. This service supplements more traditional outlets offered through Employee Assistance Programs.
Where to Start
An easy, and free, place to begin is to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace and help reduce the stigma. This is also the goal of World Mental Health Day, which occurs each year on October 10.
"Our first step is to talk to our clients about the stigma surrounding mental health and how to normalize the conversation within the workspace," said Victoria Stump, Vice President Director of Health Informatics & Clinical Evaluation at Acrisure.
"Once we understand their needs and the mental health challenges their members are facing, we can identify trends and insights within the data and direct them to the right resources, such as increasing communication around mental well-being and their current mental health benefits, EAP options, or partnering with a preferred vendor to provide an additional layer of support for the members."
If you would like help exploring solutions for your employees, contact Acrisure today!
Need Help?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available:
- Text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
- To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov, or call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The products or services identified, referenced or described herein may not be available in all jurisdictions. The information and descriptions contained herein (a) are not intended to be complete descriptions of all applicable terms, conditions, and exclusions of any insurance policies referenced, as applicable, (b) are provided solely for general informational purposes, and (c) should not be viewed as a substitute for legal, medical, regulatory, or other advice, professional or otherwise, on any particular issue or for any particular reason. The advice of a professional should always be obtained when considering and before purchasing any insurance product or service, and you should not rely on the information provided herein for the prevention or mitigation of risks, or as a full and complete explanation of coverage under any insurance policy. While the information contained herein has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty, guarantee, or representation, either expressed or implied, is made as to the correctness or sufficiency of any representation contained herein.
© Acrisure, LLC. All rights reserved.