In an article for Talent Canada magazine, titled “It’s Time to Rethink Mental Health Benefits”, Marc Avaria, our VP Product & Disability Management, offers ways employers can support the mental wellbeing of their employees.

• This includes consulting with employees on their mental health needs and communicating existing and new resources available to them.
• Marc also recommends learning what options are available, noting the positive impact that virtual care has made in providing quick, easy access to expert mental health care.
• He suggests employers consider equipping employees with tools and resources like Internet-enabled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to empower them to take a direct and active role in their care.
• Finally, he recommends that employers consider adopting new ways of improving their corporate culture, from progressive work-from-home policies to more group education sessions about mental health and wellness.

Research commissioned by Medavie Blue Cross, found that prior to COVID-19 over two-thirds (68%) of HR professionals had seen an increase in employees reporting mental health challenges, resulting in increased levels of absenteeism and disability claims.

Health Canada estimates that 11 million Canadians will experience “high levels of stress” and 2 million Canadians will experience “traumatic stress” due to prolonged isolation and worries related to COVID-19, based on numbers from the SARS outbreak.

Marc says the pandemic has “reinforced the important need for adequate mental health services” and that “our capacity to change, innovate and evolve is greater than ever before.”

Click here to read the full article.