One of the easiest ways to stand out from the competition is to offer mental health services benefits for employees. This can be a simple way to attract top talent. But as FHE Health Public Affairs Director Janet B. Gerhard notes, these benefits are essential to the employees and employers.
Costs
The costs of hiring mental health services like Counseling Now are significant for an employer. Despite the high cost of mental health care, employers often are not aware of this cost. Research shows that an employed individual with depression costs an average of $10,000 a year in health care, compared to $4,584 for a person without depression.
Choosing the right psychiatrist can be a challenging process. Many hospitals compete for a limited number of psychiatrists, and the costs associated with finding the right candidate are often high. Therefore, casting a wide net to reach as many qualified candidates as possible is essential. This can include collaboration with physician residency programs, sending recruiting letters, and exhibiting at physician conventions. The costs associated with hiring mental health services can range anywhere from $2,500 to more than $10,000 per search.
A typical session with a therapist costs between $60 to $120. However, the rate can increase significantly if the therapist is highly qualified. In large metropolitan areas, the standard fee for a therapist can be as high as $250 per hour. Many health insurance plans cover some of these costs, but not all. If you’re on a budget, you might want to look into sliding-scale therapy.
Employer culture
When fostering a healthy culture at work, you can’t forget to look after your employees’ mental health. It is not hard to do, and it doesn’t have to cost much money. There are many ways to start fostering a supportive work environment, and the first step is to remove negative workplace stigmas. You can also set performance goals for leaders to model this behavior.
As an employer, you can offer your employees various mental health benefits. The most common of these are flexible work hours. The second most popular is a workplace culture that values time off. Finally, the third most popular support is the option to work remotely.
Training
Creating a workplace mental health program that is ongoing and accessible to employees on an as-needed basis is an essential part of any company’s culture. However, it is also important to tailor the training program to the organization and its specific needs. For example, employees at a construction site will have different stressors than those at a law firm. Therefore, a program that provides training to employees who work at construction sites should focus on those stressors. Additionally, the program should include training on the outside factors that can affect an employee’s mental health. For example, employees may need training on substance abuse, parenting, or balancing work and life.
Mental health training can increase employee productivity, improve workplace morale, and contribute to the bottom line. The World Health Organization reports that organizations that provide mental health training to employees see an average return of $4 for every dollar invested in mental health programs. It is also essential to invest in mental health training for managers. It can also help organizations retain vital employees and improve their retention rates.
Supported employment
Supported employment is an evidence-based practice for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). The supported employment model is based on the individual placement and support model (IPS), which links behavioral health and employment services. In this model, participants receive individualized job development and support. Supports are available throughout the participant’s career path, including job coaching and ongoing support.
Supported employment has a positive impact on mental health outcomes. Studies have found that individuals with depression or other mental disorders are more likely to re-enter the workforce with support. Studies have shown that combining behavioral health supports with vocational rehabilitation supports can have the most significant impact.
Access
Access to mental health services is an urgent need for our nation. The recent rise in suicide rates and the opioid epidemic has captured public attention. Children are particularly at risk for mental illness. Unfortunately, many children do not receive the treatment they need. Even though Medicaid now covers children, access is not guaranteed. In addition, children in foster care or who live in low-income families are at higher risk for mental illness than their peers. This is why bipartisan support for mental health care reform is critical.
While the Affordable Care Act has dramatically improved access to mental health care, significant gaps still need further attention. Future research should focus on issues such as the disparity in mental health care among underserved communities, the lack of treatment for people in justice-involved communities, and suicide rates. Furthermore, given that the Trump administration has loosened restrictions on non-ACA-compliant health insurance plans, research on the topic is more important than ever.
