The United States is in the middle of a mental health crisis. One in five Americans is struggling with a behavioral health issue, but access to quality behavioral health care is a serious challenge. In fact, more than 110 million people live in areas where mental health services are severely limited, according to a report by Mental Health America. Oftentimes, people must travel long distances or wait months to see a provider.

Unfortunately, mental health issues can wreak havoc in the workplace. Depression, anxiety, and family and marital issues are rampant, affecting employees' ability to stay focused, be productive, and maintain a positive attitude. If left untreated, such issues can drag down employee morale, negatively impact the work environment and even lead to substance abuse which can create higher medical costs down the road.

The impact of treatment

Based on its review of thousands of clinical studies, the Center for Workplace Mental Health reports that therapy is highly effective for mental health and substance use treatment and relapse prevention. Their analysis also determined that a full 80 percent of employees who received treatment reported improved workplace productivity and satisfaction.

In addition, MentalHealth.gov reports that when employees receive effective treatment for mental health issues, medical and disability costs come down.

Given these outcomes, it's no surprise that 81 percent of U.S. businesses support mental health benefits, according to the Society of Human Resource Management's 2017 Employee Benefits Report.

The challenges of traditional mental health services

While benefits managers understand the importance of behavioral health care, there are very real barriers that prevent employees from getting the treatment they need:

Stigma It's no secret that mental illness and the action of seeking treatment carry stigmas, creating additional barriers for those in need of care. Psychology Today reported in 2017 that many individuals expressed shame or embarrassment about their diagnosis. In a traditional setting, an employee may need to take time off of work to drive to a therapist's office, and then sit in a public waiting room. The process isn't convenient or confidential.

Access Major medical plans typically include mental health benefits. However, even if benefits are there in the plan language, accessing services is another issue entirely. The national shortage of mental health providers, combined with extremely narrow provider networks, make it difficult for employees to access care through their health plan.

Cost Narrow networks are part of the problem. Medical plan restrictions on the number of counseling sessions is another, particularly for employees with chronic mental health challenges who won't necessarily be “fixed” in three to five visits. To put this into perspective, Milliman reported in 2017 that employees with mental health or substance abuse problems were far more likely to encounter high out-of-pocket medical expenses that make treatment unaffordable – even if they're insured.

It's no surprise that more than 56 percent of people with a behavioral health condition do not receive any treatment.

The case for telebehavioral health

To address the issues that impede care, businesses have begun incorporating telebehavioral health solutions into their health benefits packages. In this way, they're providing an option for employees struggling with mental health concerns – and ultimately improving productivity, workplace satisfaction, and profitability.

Telebehavioral health, which is commonly segmented into teletherapy (“talk therapy”) and telepsychiatry, eliminates long wait times and the need to travel for care typically associated with in person care. It gives employees the option to speak with a licensed mental health provider quickly, privately and conveniently, from a computer or mobile device, and from the privacy of their home or anywhere else they choose. This is an important distinction because according to the 2017 Connected Patient Report from Salesforce Research, individuals increasingly prefer accessing health care remotely versus visiting a provider's office.

As benefits managers recognize the connection between a mentally healthy workforce and the bottom line, telebehavioral health is gaining favor in the workplace. Undeniably, it's the next frontier in mental health.

The role of EAPs

Employee Assistance Programs fill an important need for employers. They are inexpensive, high-value, and provide a valuable resource for employees who need quick help with a personal or workplace issue that negatively impacts their performance. Benefits managers may include an EAP in their company's health plan and believe they have checked off coverage for mental health.

However, EAPs are not designed to serve as a standalone option or long-term solution for mental health services. Rather, they play a role in a company's overall emphasis on employee wellness in the workplace. Some EAPs may include a certain number of counseling sessions, but may not provide adequately for employees with chronic or ongoing issues, or who must be referred elsewhere for longer-term treatment.

Additionally, while EAPs are offered at 97 percent of large businesses, the National Business Group on Health reports that only five percent of employees access services each year. They often are buried in health plan paperwork – employees may not even realize they have access to mental health services through an EAP.

While EAPs are a great first step in providing behavioral health services to employees, companies that want to provide robust benefits for common mental health concerns should consider augmenting their health plan. Telebehavioral health is a cost-effective and convenient complement to any health plan, and employers are increasingly implementing the solution as a means to effectively treat mental health issues in the workplace, improve productivity and decrease absenteeism – all of which directly impact the bottom line.

Jessica Taylor is vice president of operations of MeMD, a national provider of telehealth and telebehavioral health services. More a.

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Bridging the mental health gap with telebehavioral services

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