Mental health benefits

Corporate messages and social media outreach may be well intended, but diversity experts say companies need to do more to support Black employees in a time of crisis.

Employee mental health is a workplace crisis, with frontline workers struggling with increased anxiety and depression during the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 63% of workers say their company could do more to support their emotional and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within this group, 22% said their company’s response was “barely adequate,” “a disaster” or “non-existent.”

“It is critical for employers to actively demonstrate their commitment to mental health parity. Fear and stigma can only be overcome when employees believe their workplace provides a safe environment,” says Dr. Eric Hart, chief medical officer of Healthstat.

Getting back to work requires thoughtful planning to ease employee fears and optimize mental and physical health.

For advisers and their clients, the crisis has ushered in a new era for mental health, caregiving and telemedicine platforms

For a veterinarian, the emotional aspects and financial strain of their profession can have a lasting impact on their mental health.

One in five people will experience a mental illness within a given year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, 70% never seek treatment.

Now is an “opportunity to advance the conversation around mental health and well-being,” says Aetna’s head of behavioral health.