Supporting employee health and wellness is no easy feat at the best of times. Over the last few years, though, the workplace has changed dramatically, presenting employers with a new set of challenges.
The TELUS Mental Health Index - a monthly survey of 18,000 workers around the world - indicates that the decline in mental health of working individuals remains well below pre-pandemic levels. As of May 2023, 33 per cent of workers in Canada have a high mental health risk (compared to 14 per cent in 2019).1
Employee assistance programs (EAPs) can help - but new solutions go even further to provide holistic mental health support for today’s employees.
What is an EAP?
An employee assistance program is a voluntary, confidential service that is sponsored by organizations and no cost to employees and their families. EAPs are designed to address various personal and work-related issues that may impact an employee’s ability to perform at work, their quality of life and longer term health. These programs can provide support for a wide range of challenges, from mental health, relationship, financial and legal issues, to struggles with substance use. EAPs can even help with stress management and provide tips on how to achieve a better work-life balance and work related stressors.
EAPs have been evolving significantly over the past several years. TELUS Health EAP offers a range of digital wellbeing programs, as well as organizational assessment tools and guidance to employers. All of this is along with global coverage, 365/7/24 access and crisis intervention, critical incident support, manager consultations and workplace training among other services. As well, EAP meets employees where they are, not only in terms of their needs, but also their preference for phone, video, chat, in-person or self directed support.
Shifting from reactive care to proactive support
More and more employers are focusing on employee mental health and its link to productivity – and for good reason. According to the Mental Health Index by TELUS Health, more than two in five Canadians (42 per cent) are mentally and physically exhausted at the end of each workday.2
If left unaddressed, mental health issues can lead to lower productivity, higher use of health and disability benefits, and the loss of a qualified workforce.
Given that everyone can experience mental illness differently, a personalized approach to care and wellbeing with robust, longer-term solutions can be a game-changer for overall organizational health.
Going beyond the EAP for today’s work environment
TELUS Total Mental Health offers holistic mental health support for today's employees and their family members* that includes continuous counselling with qualified mental health professionals.
A comprehensive, mental health-focused solution, Total Mental Health offers unlimited 24/7 access to personalized mental health care in the employees’ choice of modality - phone, video and chat, or in-person appointments. To address specific challenges, Total Mental Health includes specialty care plans such as general mental health, anxiety, depression, stress (or burnout), grief and more.
Care navigators work with employees to customize care plans, book appointments, complete billings and support them through their journey.
Like EAP, Total Mental Health also offers services such as legal and financial assistance as well as family services like child and elder care.
Planning for the future
According to the May 2023 Mental Health Index, one in five workers do not feel as supported by their employers with respect to their mental health compared to early in the pandemic; a further 18 per cent never felt supported.
Given the growing need for mental health support within organizations and the often-complex nature of mental illness, a robust EAP that is mental health-focused can help provide long-term, sustainable support for your team members. If your workplace is adapting to the new realities of today’s workplace, make sure your EAP is doing the same.
*Spouse and children under 26
1The TELUS Mental Health Index TELUS, May 2023, p.6
2The TELUS Mental Health Index , March 2023, p.16