Making Mental Health a Workplace Priority

BY NICK MORIELLO

MENTAL HEALTH has been top of mind – no pun intended – now more than ever. During the pandemic, we saw a variety of challenges emerge. Some of us had to learn to separate “home” from “office”, while others had to handle the stress of being in the field, but with safety protocols that could feel disruptive. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), more than half of Americans reported that COVID-19 had a negative impact on their mental health.

Globally, depression and anxiety disorders cost the economy $1 trillion each year in lost productivity and people with serious mental illness have an increased risk for chronic disease, like diabetes or cancer. 1 Highmark data shows that members who have been diagnosed with a behavioral health condition and at least one chronic condition have health care costs that are two to three times the amount of a member with no diagnosis.

When it comes to the workplace, we are trying to serve the distinct health needs of five generations, juggling remote or hybrid environments, and managing rising costs for both business and life. Compounding the issue of mental health, NAMI reports that the average delay between symptom onset of a mental illness and treatment is 11 years. That’s over a decade for a situation to decline, incur higher costs, and impact your company. There is no question that we must integrate mental health care into our business decisions, though the question may be “How?”

Things to consider might be what work-life balance means to your company and defining it as part of your formal policy, getting feedback from team members about workplace culture and the aspects they’d keep or change, and the types of resources you could provide as employee benefits that both retain and attract talent.

Investing in health coverage that includes mental and behavioral health is a positive way to influence wellness, and in turn productivity, morale, and even attendance. While in-person care is critical, virtual options have made access to care much easier, while also decreasing wait times and reducing stigma. In response, Highmark has expanded the number of access points to behavioral health care by 40 percent for members, and the health industry at large is seeing a variety of innovations emerge that address the increase in need and create customized experiences.

Whether it’s artificial intelligence that uses data to predict the onset of certain symptoms, the ability to receive medication prescriptions from a virtual visit, disability accessible designs, or condition-specific assistance, there are mental health solutions that can help your business, bottom line, and best asset – your people. The Chamber can get you connected with benefits professionals throughout the state who can answer any questions you may have about caring for your teams.

1. https://www.nami.org/mhstats

2. https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/StateFactSheets/ DelawareStateFactSheet.pdf

Nick Moriello is the president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware. Learn more about Highmark’s mental health offerings at www.highmarkbcbsde.com.