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Now more than ever, employees need greater mental health support. Stress- and anxiety-related disorders have risen 25% between 2019 and 2023, according to World Health Organization research cited by Johns Hopkins University.
“When employees are struggling with poor mental health, it can lead to reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and high staff turnover rates,” according to Johns Hopkins. Indeed, 88% of HR leaders surveyed by SHRM last year said mental health resources can increase productivity, while 86% said they can increase retention.
That’s why Modern Health—a digital mental health benefits provider—has expanded its offerings to include more specialized mental healthcare through a solution called Modern Health Pathways, which provides personalized, one-on-one support.
“We know from a clinical perspective that the strongest outcomes are a result of the combination of digital support and a high-touch live engagement strategy with experts who have advanced knowledge in the specific area of need,” Neha Chaudhary, chief medical officer at Modern Health, said in a press release. “Modern Health Pathways is going to provide the highly tailored and specialized support that we are hearing HR leaders calling out for.”
Modern Health Pathways features specialized modules that offer therapeutic techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy—for treating disorders including depression, anxiety, and alcohol and drug use problems—and dialectical behavioral therapy—for identifying and changing negative thinking patterns and self-destructive behaviors. Employees who enroll in this program will be connected with a dedicated specialist who can help them overcome issues related to “communicating effectively, resolving conflicts, managing workload, overcoming burnout, and managing stress.”
Modern Health was founded in 2017 by CEO Alyson Watson and former partner Erica Johnson to help employees take a more proactive approach to their mental health.
The popularity of mental health benefits among employees and employers has increased in recent years. Employers offering mental health coverage have grown to 27% this year from 23% in 2022, according to HSA Bank’s 2023 Health & Wealth Index.
Employees are eager to find solutions to their unique mental health needs, and employers are uniquely positioned to not only provide those solutions but also change the dialogue around mental health and make sure their workforce knows that support is available for them.
“Providing support across the organization required a partner with the ability to reach everyone, regardless of location, language preference or level of need,” Beth Steinberg, head of people at NextDoor, said in a testimonial on Modern Health’s website. “Modern Health’s approach to mental health allowed us to frame this resource as something for everyone.”