How to support mental health in the workplace
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As we navigate the ups and downs of everyday life, the connection between mental and physical health has never been clearer. Key insights from a 2021 behavioral health study1 conducted by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield reaffirmed that access to behavioral health care when and where it is needed is an issue, particularly in the more rural areas of the Midwest. The study also found that employers are looking for solutions to address increasing trends in behavioral health-related claims.
How mental health affects the workplace
Employees living with a mental health condition may have mood swings, present an inability to perform simple or daily tasks, have little or no energy or may begin pulling away from people or activities they previously enjoyed. In Wellmark's survey, productivity and morale issues were cited as the most common occurrences, as well as employee burnout, presenteeism and even a surge in divorce rates.
Are behavioral health and mental health the same?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but behavioral health is considered a subset of mental health and often refers to how our emotions and behaviors impact our mental health and well-being
Wellmark's behavioral health survey takeaways
Benefit consultants and employers were invited to participate in a 30-minute interview to discuss the current landscape of behavioral health in the workplace. Here's what we learned:
- Don't assume your employees are OK. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 U.S. adults (57.8 million) live with a mental illness.
- Communicate, educate and raise awareness. Providing communications and increasing awareness is the most often mentioned as a way carriers and administrators can help manage behavioral health claims.
- Encourage the use of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if available. EAPs can become a default solution for addressing employees' challenges, especially when employers don't have or aren't sure they have a mental health option.
- Promote virtual care. Despite access issues acting as barriers for some, many employers believe virtual care will be a viable option for mental and behavioral health well into the future.
How to support your employees' mental health
- Provide mental health resources your employees feel comfortable using. Find out how you can support your employees’ mental health if they have limited access to mental health care or consider offering mental health days to help employees recover from stress, work-related burnout or chronic anxiety and depression.
Check out our mental health solutions bundle
If you're not sure which resources would help you and your employees, we have you covered. Get help navigating the mental health solutions available as part of your plan when you download the mental health solutions employer bundle.
- Don't underestimate the importance of openly discussing mental health. Have regular conversations about mental health in the workplace and be sure to use language that supports a positive perception of mental health. For help having a productive conversation with employees, follow our mental health conversation guide.
- Take a look at how virtual visits are covered by your health plan. Doctor On Demand® is Wellmark’s preferred virtual visit solution and gives your employees access to same-day mental health appointments. Share the Doctor On Demand for mental health flyer by logging in to the Marketing Toolkit using your Employer Connection credentials.
- Make it known that your organization is a safe space for talking about mental health.
- Iowa employers can register as a Make It OK workplace through the Healthiest State Initiative website. Becoming a registered Make It OK workplace demonstrates that your organization values reducing stigma for all Iowans. Plus you can receive tools, ideas and strategies to use in your workplace.
- South Dakota employers can pledge to be a StigmaFree company through the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The initiative helps companies promote mental health awareness in the workplace and encourage acceptance and understanding.
Get help promoting mental well-being in your workplace
Wellmark is committed to creating an environment in your workplace that promotes healthy behaviors. Learn about the solutions for improving mental well-being at work.
Wellmark Employer Consulting and Well-being Services
Wellmark's well-being consultants look beyond your employees' claims and provide a variety of evidence-based programs that address their whole health.
Our services can provide you with tools and programs to help you create a desired workplace culture that:
- Gets your employees engaged in their health.
- Expands the definition of traditional physical wellness to support all pillars of good health.
- Boosts mental health, builds resiliency and more.
Reach out to our employer consulting and well-being services to get solutions that make sense for your unique workplace.
Give your employees the tools to improve their resilience
It has never been more important to prioritize your employees' mental well-being. An employer consultant may recommend focusing on resilience as an essential part of your employees' overall health with meQuilibrium (meQ) — a well-being training tool from Wellmark. meQ can help your employees build resilience for increased productivity and lower turnover rates.
Email wellbeing@wellmark.com to learn more about meQ, schedule a demo of the tools and hear more about the science behind a resilient workforce.
Disclaimer
1Benefit consultants and employers were invited to participate in a 30-minute interview to discuss the current landscape of behavioral health in the workplace. A total of 26 phone interviews were conducted during the second quarter of 2021 by The Dieringer Research Group, an independent, third-party research firm, on behalf of Wellmark. The proprietary research highlighted COVID-19’s impact on behavioral health and how specific tools like telehealth can be used to meet the growing needs among members now and post-pandemic.