The pandemic shined a spotlight on the mental health challenges that many workers face, and employers are responding.

Two-thirds of U.S. employers plan to make employee mental health and emotional wellbeing programs and solutions one of their top three health priorities over the next three years, a new survey by WTW finds. In addition, the number of employers that intend to offer designated mental health days could triple from 9% currently to 30% in the next two years.

"COVID-19 took a terrible toll on employees' lives, including substantially worsening mental health," says Erin Terkoski Young, senior director for WTW's Health, Equity & Well-being practice. "Although the pandemic may have started to wane, mental health challenges persist. Taking mental health programs to the next level won't be easy, but employers that succeed will see improvement in productivity, retention and engagement."

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Nearly 9 in 10 respondents took measures to address workforce mental health needs this year. Eighty-three percent of employers offered tele-behavioral health this year, and another 9% are considering it or planning to offer it in the next two years. Although nearly all employers offer traditional employee assistance programs, 7 in 10 provide dedicated onsite or virtual EAP resources. One-fourth of employers plan to increase their EAP benefits in the next three years.

The survey of 455 U.S. employers reveals several emotional wellbeing strategies employers have in place or are planning or considering deploying in the next three years:

  • More than 4 in 10 currently provide manager training, such as general mental health awareness or identification and intervention training. Another 30% are planning or considering this training in the next two years.
  • Nearly 4 in 10 partner with employee resource groups to address population-specific mental health issues, and another 27% are planning or considering doing so.
  • Two-thirds of employers currently offer digital behavioral health support. An additional 16% are planning or considering providing access to this type of support in the next two years.
  • 1 in 6 employers is evaluating cultural competencies within the behavioral health provider network, and another 27% are planning or considering doing so.

Read more: Mental health care must become standard operating procedure in employee benefits

"Employers are highly focused on supporting the mental health of their employees, especially as they look to retain and engage talent," Young says. "Those that prioritize employee mental health and increase access to virtual and digital solutions will be uniquely positioned to improve their ability to deliver much-needed care."

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Alan Goforth

Alan Goforth is a freelance writer in suburban Kansas City. In addition to freelancing for several publications, he has written a dozen books about sports and other topics.