Mental health in the United States has declined in recent years, with only 31% of Americans reporting “excellent” mental health in 2024, down from 43% in 2019. This trend has increased demand for employers to provide comprehensive mental health benefits.
Although employers have prioritized mental health benefits, many employees still do not use them. Low utilization can prevent those in need from receiving support and may result in reduced well-being, lower morale, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover. Improving mental health outcomes requires more than offering benefits—employers must also encourage employees to use them.
Common Mental Health Benefits
Offering a range of mental health benefits helps employees manage stress, enhance well-being, and stay productive. Common options include:
- Flexible work schedules include compressed workweeks, remote, hybrid, or other flexible options.
- Therapy coverage includes costs for mental health professionals. By law, mental health and substance abuse benefits must be provided on equal terms with medical benefits.
- Psychiatric care coverage supports expenses for evaluations, medication management, and ongoing treatment.
- Employee assistance programs offer confidential support for personal or work-related issues.
- Mental health days are paid time off for employees to focus on their well-being.
- Wellness programs support physical, mental, and emotional health.
- Mental health first-aid training equips employees to recognize and support colleagues with mental health concerns.
Why Aren’t Employees Using Mental Health Benefits?
In 2022, only 19% of workers used mental health benefits. To improve utilization, it’s important to understand the barriers employees face, including:
- Lack of communication - Surprisingly, nearly one in four employees are in the dark about whether their workplace even offers mental health benefits. Without clear communication, valuable support can remain hidden, unused, and out of reach.
- Insufficient education – Employees may not know how to access or use their mental health benefits.
- No time - Many employees don’t take time to learn about their mental health benefits.
- Mental Health stigma - Some employees may avoid mental health benefits due to stigma or fear of negative perceptions.
- Cost concerns - Employees may avoid benefits due to cost concerns or confusion about what their plan covers.
Tips to Improve Mental Health Benefits Utilization
To boost employee use of health care benefits, employers can take the following steps:
- Train managers on the available benefits. Managers play a vital role in promoting mental health benefits. Training them enables effective communication and support for employees.
- Regularly educate employees on offerings. While open enrollment is important, mental health benefits should be shared year-round through channels like emails, newsletters, and meetings.
- Foster a mental health-friendly culture. A supportive culture and open communication about mental health encourage employees to use available benefits.
- Help employees understand and access their benefits. Clear guidance on benefits helps employees feel confident using them.
- Get feedback on desired benefits. Anonymous employee feedback helps employers tailor mental health benefits to increase use. Communicate any changes made based on this input.
Conclusion
Despite expanded mental health benefits, many employees still face barriers to using them. Identifying and addressing these challenges can boost well-being, productivity, and organizational success. Download the bulletin for more details.
