How employers can respond to the mental health crisis

HR Trends

Listen in as Dr. Philip Levendusky of the world-renowned McLean Hospital joins Unum’s Swapnil Prabha, to discuss the worsening mental health crisis in the U.S. and how innovative employer behavioral health programs can help remove the barriers to care.

• A continuing trend. Mental health issues have been on the rise for the past five years. [2:18]
• Gen Z suffering most. People aged 18 to 24 accounted for 56% of those reporting symptoms of anxiety disorder and/or depressive disorders during the pandemic. [8:21]
• Access is major difficulty. Inpatient psychological treatment, in short supply before the pandemic, reached critical scarcity, with some young people spending as much as seven days in the emergency room waiting to be admitted. [13:17]
• Stigma is continuing barrier. Employers need to take the weight off of the people in their organizations by making it clear that needing and seeking help is OK. [14:10]
• Digital benefits can help solve for access. By directing people with less serious issues to digital and self-help tools, innovative behavioral health programs can help with demand management. [16:30]
• Employer advocacy is critical. From training to policies to making sure behavioral health providers are transparent and accountable, employers have a big role to play in helping employees take advantage of the behavioral health benefits offered at work. [18:00]
• Returning to the workplace. Returning to work will have issues of its own, which employers can combat with clear communications, small steps and promotion of resources to help. [19:45]
• Additional resources: Webinar, Supporting behavioral health at work.

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Featured speakers

Dr. Philip Levendusky

Director of Psychology, McLean Hospital; Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School

For more than three decades, Dr. Philip Levendusky has directed and/or developed more than 30 cutting-edge clinical programs at McLean Hospital. He is recognized nationally and internationally as a pioneer of integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment systems for persons with serious mental illness. In addition, he has inspired a generation of students to achieve excellence in the pursuit of their professional careers.

Swapnil Prabha

Vice President, Digital Offerings, Unum

With 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, Swapnil is the Vice President of Digital Offerings at Unum.

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