By Kathleen Greer, Founder of KGA and Tom Shjerven, CEBS, National Behavioral Consortium
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns have been elevated in the minds of almost every benefit purchaser. A knowledgeable benefit broker or consultant is critical for helping organizations make the right behavioral health choices for their employee population.
Access to effective behavioral health care is the number one health concern of employers today. In the U.S., national surveys indicate that 45% of the population reveal a high prevalence of distress during COVID-19. In addition, researchers at the University of British Columbia and CMHA report that thirty-right percent of employees report a deterioration in mental health since the onset of the pandemic. This effect is more pronounced in groups with pre-existing mental health conditions (59%) those with disabilities (48%) and parents with children under 10 years of age (45%).
There is a pivotal moment when an employee or family member realizes that he or she needs help. It is worth the time to think about who may receive the first call for help and how that call can be more welcoming. It’s hard to ask for help and difficult to receive it in systems that can be disjointed. A strong benefit broker or consultant can play an important role in selecting and streamlining resources that make mental health care more accessible.
Members of the
