October 18, 2023
Human resources professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of an organization’s most valuable asset – its employees. In a time where mental health is taking center stage in the workplace, leveraging insurance-provided wellness funds and innovative platforms can empower HR teams to champion employee mental health. In this blog, we’ll explore how HR professionals can harness these resources to create a supportive environment for their workforce.
Understanding Insurance Wellness Funds
First, let’s talk about wellness funds, often included in employee benefit packages, are allocated budgets meant to promote employees’ overall well-being. Traditionally, these funds cover expenses related to physical health, such as gym memberships, medical check-ups, and preventive care. Wellness funds have the ability to save HR teams thousands of dollars but have to be spent during the calendar year. Forward-thinking companies are expanding the scope of these funds to encompass mental health benefits, acknowledging the significant impact of mental well-being on employee productivity and happiness.
The first step for HR professionals is acknowledging the vital role that mental health benefits play in a company’s overall well-being strategy. According to Lyra Health, 84% of workers experienced at least one mental health challenge in the last year. The mounting stressors of modern work life make it imperative to allocate insurance wellness funds toward mental health support. Employees often experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, and companies that address these issues proactively can create a more positive, productive work environment.
Effective utilization of insurance wellness funds for mental health benefits begins with HR professionals collaborating closely with insurance providers. Ensure that your insurance packages include comprehensive mental health coverage, which may encompass therapy, counseling, psychiatric services, and medications. By building strong relationships with Insurance Engagement teams or Wellness Consultants, HR can secure the best mental health benefits for their employees
Technology and digital platforms are revolutionizing how companies can support mental health. HR professionals can introduce their employees to such platforms, which provide accessible, personalized, and confidential mental health resources. Aiberry, powered by artificial intelligence, offers employees 24/7 support, encouraging them to reach out when they need it most. These platforms can be an invaluable addition to your total wellbeing package, and often act as a point solution to increase the utilization of other benefits.
HR professionals are well-positioned to communicate the value of mental health benefits to employees. Develop clear communication strategies, including emails, workshops, webinars, and intranet resources to educate your workforce about the mental health support available to them.
It’s important to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage employees to seek help when needed. This includes maintaining consistent communication that any mental health benefit is extremely important, as only 38% of employees feel comfortable using their company’s mental health services (Mental Health America).
A culture of mental wellness is essential. HR professionals can lead by example, championing mental health initiatives within the company. Encourage open discussions about mental health, offer flexible work arrangements, and create an environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help. HR teams can facilitate workshops, training, and awareness campaigns that emphasize the importance of mental well-being. Additonally, HR teams should create close relationships and encourage leadership buy-in. When people leaders act on a mental health-focused culture, their teams are more likely engage in the programs as well.
According to The Human Capital Hub, the percentage of Millennials leaving their jobs due to mental health-related reasons has increased from 50 percent in 2019 to 68 percent. Likewise, among Gen Zers, the figure has risen from 75 percent in 2019 to 81 percent.
Employers can use Aiberry to help employees recognize mental stress and anxiety early, to prevent mental health related absenteeism, or resignation.
Aiberry, powered by advanced artificial intelligence, can offer personalized mental health support to employees. Through data analysis and user interactions, Aiberry can provide tailored advice, coping strategies, and resources based on an individual’s unique needs and challenges.
Mental health issues don’t adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule. Aiberry’s 24/7 availability ensures that employees can access support whenever they need it, even during late hours or weekends. This round-the-clock assistance can be a lifeline for those going through a tough time.
Many employees may hesitate to seek help for mental health concerns due to concerns about privacy. Aiberry allows employees to receive support and guidance anonymously, reducing the stigma associated with seeking help and encouraging more individuals to take proactive steps toward better mental health.
As HR professionals, you have a significant role in fostering a mentally healthy work environment. Utilizing insurance wellness funds for mental health benefits and introducing innovative platforms like Aiberry can transform your workplace culture, enhance productivity, and reduce turnover. By recognizing the importance of mental well-being, collaborating with insurance providers, educating employees, and continuously evaluating your programs, you can make a lasting impact on the mental health of your workforce. Nurturing the mental wellness of your employees is not just an initiative – it’s a commitment to their holistic well-being and a more prosperous, supportive workplace.
Aiberry® (pronounced “I” + “berry”) is an innovative and practical mental health assessment platform that uses cutting-edge AI technology to analyze user text, audio, and video cues during a short conversation to deliver a quantified risk score and other health insights in real time.
