According to recent research, more than 85 percent of employers cited behavioral health as an important priority. Many of these employers reported plans to start their own programs or to offer employee initiatives. Over 60 percent of interested employers said that locating effective treatment and ensuring enough time for adequate treatment were their main concerns with this issue. Another 60 percent said that they planned to integrate disability case management with behavioral health case management. More than 55 percent of employers planned to offer increased support for complex conditions, and about 50 percent wanted to expand access to mental health care.
This survey also showed that most employers tried to find the cause of behavioral health problems in the workplace. Nearly 40 percent of employers had taken steps to improve workers’ morale and reduce stress. More than 45 percent said that they were considering taking these steps and more over the next several years. Almost 30 percent of employers cited providing education about behavioral health problems. Another 40 percent said that they would start offering such programs in the near future. Since the stigma of mental health care still exists and is one of the biggest hindrances to seeking care, about 35 percent of employers said that they planned to add education to help combat the stigma. Approximately 25 percent of the current participants had already implemented such education.
Another finding that made researchers happy was that many employers wanted to offer coverage for behavioral health issues, and they showed an increased interest in telemedicine. This improves access to care and was a convenient cost-saving solution. Researchers found that only about 25 percent of the employers surveyed currently offered telemedicine care. However, nearly 50 percent of the workplaces that lacked it planned to offer it over the next several years. When choosing providers for behavioral health care, employers focused on quality of care and access to care. They placed similar importance on the issues of both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. About 70 percent of employers said that they contracted with their health insurance providers to offer behavioral health service coverage.
Several employers showed interest in mobile apps for helping their workers meet health needs. Many employers planned to focus especially on sleep, anxiety and stress reduction when developing or adding apps. Researchers said that their findings showed an increased commitment among employers to improve the workplace environment and to show care for their workers. Optimal mental health means better productivity, and every employer can benefit from having a happy and healthy workforce. Researchers also applauded the increased interest and use of education programs to reduce the stigma of mental health issues.
For more information, please contact a UBF consultant.
Alan Wang is the President of UBF and serves as the lead consultant. He has delivered the UBF solution set throughout the world and is highly regarded for his areas of expertise. You can follow him on Twitter @UBFconsulting.