8 low-cost apps to help employees manage their mental health

May 13, 2021 12:51 PM

Access to mental health care resources shouldn’t add more strain to already-stressed employees.

One-quarter of employees say their mental health has deteriorated during COVID, and 40% are dealing with a mental health condition like anxiety or depression, according to Lyra Health. Yet 56% of employees did not seek care and 40% did not know whether their employer offered benefits that would help them.

Virtual platforms and tools are making mental health care more accessible and affordable than ever. More than half of employers have boosted their mental health benefits in response to COVID-19, and 79% offer an employee assistance program with mental health support, according to the Society of Human Resource Management.

“An employer has to communicate and educate employees on what's available,” says Nancy Reardon, chief strategy and product officer at Maestro Health. “Meet people where they are. Some people may want to talk to someone in person, and some people want to interact over texts and chats and that works for them.”

With mental health top of mind for so many employers, these low-cost options can be a gateway to seeking further care and help employees manage their day-to-day stress.

Calm

Calm for Business is offered by more than 1,000 employer clients. Users who have access to the app can practice mindfulness, tap into relaxation and meditation exercises and learn sleep improvement techniques.

Talkspace

The program offers online therapy and coaching resources. Employees are matched with a therapist or counselor for text or video sessions. The platform also offers self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy wellness tools and exercises.

Headspace

Headspace is a mindfulness and meditation app that counts Google and LinkedIn as employer clients. The app created a free content hub with guided meditations and mental health exercises in response to the elevated levels of stress and anxiety employees were experiencing during COVID.

Happify

Happify can be integrated into an EAP program to offer virtual mental health benefits like online therapy and self-guided coaching. The program also connects employees with qualified mental health professionals within their network for more intensive treatment.

10 Percent Happier

This meditation app offers a group subscription for employers and provides users with a library of guided meditations led by top experts and teachers. The platform also has videos and self-guided tools focused on sleep and overall well-being.

Ginger

Ginger provides on-demand mental health care via text-based behavioral health coaching, video therapy and psychiatric sessions, as well as self-guided coaching tools. The app is used by employers including Kaiser Permanente, Accolade, Dominos and more.

Circles by Modern Health

Circles is a group therapy benefit offered through mental health benefits provider Modern Health. The online sessions are led by professional therapists and coaches. Employers can personalize session topics to their workplace needs.

NeuroFlow

NeuroFlow uses artificial intelligence to identify employees who are high-risk for mental health issues. Employees receive care coordination services that connect them with mental health professionals. Users can also tap into the app’s library of training classes on topics like building coping skills and relaxation techniques.