Calm, a digital mental health platform, has announced the international expansion of Calm Health, its evidence-based app now offering employer-provided mental health support to the UK and Canada.
The expansion comes in response to growing global demand for
Globally, mental health is at a crisis point: 70% of those with a mental health need will not seek support, due to factors like stigma, confusion or lack of access. By utilizing Calm, 77% of users complete the initial mental health screening in the U.S., leading to earlier interventions. Users are twice as likely to follow through with outpatient care when connected to the app, according to data from the platform.
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The platform has also increased engagement
"Most employers see less than 5% engagement with their employee assistance programs," Ko said. "Without engagement, we can't expect meaningful outcomes."
Calm Health encourages engagement by providing a personalized, user-centric experience that begins with a mental health screening in the app. Individuals are then given tailored recommendations,
Making the app hands-on and accessible to anyone, anywhere, is a critical piece in supporting mental health and combatting persistent stigma. Yet despite increased investments and a general embrace of well-being support within the workplace, mental health remains a difficult challenge for many.
"We've made progress in normalizing conversations around mental health, but stigma is only part of the challenge. For most people, it still comes down to access and clarity," says Chris Carey, general manager of Calm Health. "[Employees] might not know what resources are available to them, or they may not see themselves reflected in the support being offered."
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Even the best employer benefits can fall flat if they're hard to find, disconnected from daily habits, or fail to engage users early, Carey says. For employers, Calm's expansion offers an opportunity to unify and strengthen their
"There isn't one app or service that's going to solve the mental health crisis, and we don't believe there should be," he says. "What's needed is a cohesive strategy that brings together best-in-class tools in a way that's engaging, connected and easy for people to use."
Expanding now is both a response to market need and employer demand. Calm Health is also designed to align with each country's unique care and regulatory ecosystems, including privacy laws. It also offers a consistent yet adaptable solution that can address a wide range of employee needs — something Carey says employers increasingly prioritize.
"We've been hearing from employers, especially those with global teams, that they're looking for a single solution that can scale across regions and integrate with their existing benefits," Carey says. "Teams expect equitable access to benefits no matter where they're based. At the same time, each market has its own systems, regulations and cultural nuances."
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Rather than replacing existing care, Calm Health is designed to embed within a broader benefits landscape, guiding users to the right resources at the right time. Today, Calm Health is available to over 17 million people. This expansion continues to provide employers with tools to make meaningful progress in supporting the mental well-being of their teams.
"This expansion is about taking what's proven to work in the U.S. and making it available to more people and teams globally," Carey said. "It furthers Calm's mission to support everyone on every step of their mental health journey and expand access to more people around the world."
