All good employers know that employees are their biggest asset. But what happens when that workforce is suffering under the weight of anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation?

In March, the TELUS Health Mental Health Index reported that 23% of U.S. employees have a high mental health risk, while another 41% fall into the moderate-risk category. That, in turn, is reverberating in the workplace.

TELUS Health is a relatively new name to most American employers, but it already banks on more than 40 years of U.S.-based experience in the employee assistance program (EAP) space. Serving people in more than 160 countries, the global healthcare leader expanded its footprint in the U.S. through the acquisition of LifeWorks in September 2022.

According to TELUS Health, employees who rate their mental health as low have work productivity scores 39 points below the national average. In addition, nearly one-third of these employees report that they often struggle to start or finish important tasks.

It's no wonder, then, companies are embracing comprehensive EAPs that provide much-needed peace of mind in challenging times. Increased awareness of employee mental health and how it impacts a company's bottom line gives employers new options to support employees and optimize benefits utilization.

"As employees choose where to work, they're looking for companies with a pretty robust mental health solution as part of the benefits package," says Sam Patel, Senior Vice President of TELUS Health in the U.S. "EAP benefits can not only drive productivity but also act as a tool to help employers attract and retain talent."

Reduced stigma showcases employer support

While mental health concerns among the workforce have been an ongoing concern for employers, the pandemic helped to highlight the challenges American workers face. As a result, employees are more receptive to mental health support and services available through their employers.

"There's always been a stigma about discussing mental health," says Patel. "But what's happening over the last few years – punctuated by the pandemic – is that people are more willing to talk about their mental well-being and, by extension, consume related benefit solutions."

EAPs are the primary way employers can provide direct mental health support to employees. The programs, often considered table stakes within many companies' benefits offerings, are getting fresh attention from employees. By offering access to a range of mental health benefits through an EAP, employers demonstrate additional care for employees' wellbeing.

How employers can optimize their EAP benefits

But it's not enough to simply offer mental health support. Improving workforce mental health relies on driving employee awareness and utilization of EAP benefits.

Taking a holistic, multi-pronged approach to how the program is designed is key, Patel says. Whole-person care focuses on providing the services employees need when they need them. It also considers how employees want to interact with mental health support. Today, that means making it easy for employees to access support through in-person, virtual and digital options.

"Access can't be one-size-fits-all," says Patel. "When it comes to mental health support, the hardest part is often getting the employee to take the initial step."

Beyond program design and ease of access, strategic activation and ongoing communications are also essential for increasing engagement. As people become more open about addressing mental health concerns, employers have new avenues to create a culture that encourages the utilization of available resources and reduces the stigma for those workers who seek out help.

Ann Clifford is a freelance writer who translates her background in financial services marketing into specialized content focused on employee benefits and small business topics.

TELUS Health is a global leader serving people in more than 160 countries, delivering digital innovation and clinical services to improve total physical, mental and financial health and wellness across primary and preventive care. For more information, please visit: www.telushealth.com.