A recent
survey of CEOs and employees found that while 98% of CEOs say their company offers adequate behavioral health services, only 55% of employees agree, raising the question of what employers can do to improve employee access and awareness as workplaces reopen.
The most recent Mental Health Index finds the risk of PTSD remains high (56%) compared to pre-COVID-19 rates. Employees suffering from PTSD demonstrate higher levels of stress, lower levels of resilience, and decreased ability to sustain attention and work productively. This impact on resilience and cognition makes it increasingly important that employers invest in resources and lead with empathy as they work to recruit and retain employees.
The larger the company, the less likely employees are to think their employer is doing enough for behavioral health. In companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, 70% believe their employer provides adequate behavioral health support. When compared to companies with more than 25,000 employees, the level drops to 58%.
HR Policy is engaged with The Path Forward to increase access to behavioral health providers. Investing in resources and communicating what is available to employees is just one step towards improving employee well-being. The lack of adequate numbers of behavioral health providers and increasingly long wait times complicate employers’ plans to expand behavioral health access for their employees.
For additional insights, the National Alliance is hosting a complimentary webinar today, Friday, July 16 at 12:00 p.m. EDT featuring Colleen McHugh, Executive Vice President of the American Health Policy Institute and Strategic Advisor to HR Policy Association. Register here.
