Recent reports show that 83% of U.S. workers suffer from work-related stress with 27% of employees desiring support for stress, burnout, and other mental health issues. Burnout often leads to employee turnover and absenteeism, which results in huge costs. On average, absenteeism can cost a company $2,650 for salaried workers in addition to about $15,000 needed to place an employee. Globally, mental health issues cost businesses $1 trillion due to lost productivity.

It has become clear to employers that investing in mental health for their employees is not only crucial to improving workplace morale but also to reducing overall costs. In fact, nearly 86% of employees report improved work performance and lower rates of absenteeism after receiving mental health treatment.

Here are the top three perks employees want to see included in their mental health benefits:  

1. Add value to EAPs: Employee assistance programs (EAPs) offer confidential mental assessments and services to help employees resolve mental and emotional health issues. Unfortunately, despite the high rate of employers offering EAP services, below 10% of employees utilize this benefit. Since few EAP programs come with an awareness campaign, nearly 50% of employees don’t know how to access their mental health benefits. Employers should be more active in promoting EAP resources. Additionally, employers should provide coverage for more sessions that involve a wider range of work/life support, from housing issues, such as locating emergency shelters, to child care needs or bereavement support.
2. Apps: Many employers have begun offering digital mental health applications as true benefits by offering them as fully paid or subsidizing access. In 2021, 53% of employers offered apps to support sleep and relaxation. Some additional examples are Happify, a mood-training mental health app that teaches resiliency through gamification, and relaxation and meditation apps such as Calm and Headspace. Apps serve as a great supplement to other mental health resources by offering fun, engaging guides as well as quick tips and videos. They can also be used anonymously, which is appealing to users.
3. Telehealth: Telehealth service providers have recently begun making therapy sessions with psychologists and other mental health professionals, available via phone or video conferencing. Virtual care services have been shown to be effective for several mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Additionally, telehealth is convenient, cost-effective, and allows for greater access, boosting employee satisfaction.

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