Advertorial Mental health benefits are a top priority for employers

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Many companies recognize the physical toll that “always-on” company culture takes on employees, and offer health insurance, wellness programs, and other health-related benefits to help. However, more employers are now starting to take mental and emotional health at work seriously as well. This makes sense, as emotional health plays a vital role in chronic health conditions. Plus, stress, burnout, and mental illness can affect the health of your business.

 

Let’s take a closer look at mental health benefits and why they’ve become a top priority for employers in this article from our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand.

 

Why mental health benefits are important

Often offered as part of a comprehensive health insurance plan, mental health benefits help improve and alleviate mental health symptoms experienced by the workforce. These benefits typically provide an additional level of support to employees when they need it, and can provide substantial returns for companies.

 

Better mental health at work starts with providing the right benefits, which are designed to improve employees’ overall health, prevent burnout, and improve productivity. Mental health benefits can help address mental health stigma at work, help employees who are returning to the workplace, and support remote employees. These are just some of the many reasons why mental health benefits have become a leading priority for employers in 2021.

 

Prioritizing employee mental health

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 92% of UK employers have prioritized employee mental health - with an emphasis on emotional wellbeing and support. The growing need for mental health benefits became evident in 2020, as pandemic-related restrictions such as working from home and social isolation led to mental health concerns.

 

At the start of 2021, many employers began looking for ways to protect their workforces’ mental health, such as through direct surveys and communication channels. For example, HSBC now measures employees’ mental health to come up with suitable solutions while Bank of America offers access to enhanced mental health resources.

 

Nike, LinkedIn, Hubspot, Bumble, and Zalando are some of several companies that have chosen to offer employees paid time off to help alleviate some of the pressure. Even though solutions such as these are not realistic for companies of all shapes and sizes, offering mental health benefits can be instrumental in combating mental health issues.

 

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are rising in popularity

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are employer-sponsored programs that help employees navigate personal and/or work-related problems that may affect their physical, mental, and emotional health - as well as their productivity. As more employees are experiencing anxiety, stress, and burnout, they are also becoming more proactive about seeking proper care. In fact, 70% of employers surveyed witnessed an increase in EAP utilization, showing employees’ willingness to ask for mental health help.

 

Now is an ideal time for employers to promote EAP services to their employees, as well as evaluate their wellness offerings to come up with more holistic solutions. According to Pacific Prime’s State of Health Insurance 2020-2021 Report, the most popular EAP services include:

 

• Practical advice
• Structured online counselling
• Life coaching
• Stress reduction courses
• Mindfulness training
• And more

 

EAP services are designed to help employees manage life’s stressors by offering valuable resources and tools. They can support situations like family matters, professional or personal relationships, traumatic events, and professional development. Likewise, they can be helpful for employees working from home who struggle with work-life balance. EAPs essentially offer an excellent way for employees to receive the confidential support they need, making them a valuable part of any employee benefits plan.

 

Utilizing telehealth for mental health support

Telehealth allows patients to receive healthcare services remotely and has become essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, virtual mental health consultations witnessed a 3,000% increase while virtual physical health consultations grew by 400%. Telehealth is not a cure-all, but it is an effective solution for connecting employees to health services whenever they need it. Since telehealth services will only improve with time, early adoption of this mental health benefit can help employees and businesses alike in the long run.

 

Dive deep into employee benefits with Pacific Prime

Now that you understand why more employers are turning to mental health benefits, you’re probably considering your own employee benefits offerings. But before you make any changes to your employee benefits package, download your free copy of Pacific Prime’s Global Employee Benefits Trends Report 2021 for more insights into the global employee benefits landscape. The report covers six benefits trends globally, complete with case studies, statistics, and tips for implementing them.

 

Have any questions about employee benefits or health insurance? As a leading employee benefits specialist and insurance broker with over two decades of industry experience, Pacific Prime Thailand is here to help. Contact Pacific Prime Thailand for impartial insurance advice and a tailored plan comparison today!