Employees are struggling right now. Even after the most painful effects of the pandemic resulting from lockdowns, social isolation and fear have abated, incidences of depression, burnout and anxiety have risen markedly. The rising cost of living has added even more strain as employees grapple with balancing household budgets amid demanding workloads—and for remote workers—struggling to set boundaries as the lines blur between long hours of work and enjoying life at home.
In late September, the United States Preventative Services Task Force issued draft guidance recommending for the first time that all adults under the age of 65 should be screened for anxiety disorders. That guidance follows findings this summer from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Household Pulse Survey that 28.3% of Americans reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, up from 10.8% recorded in the 2019 National Health Interview Survey, which serves as a pre-pandemic benchmark. According to the Household Pulse Survey, this summer 30.2% of Maine residents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, down just 4% since the stressful onset of COVID-19 in April 2020, when 34.3% of Mainers reported such symptoms.
When it comes to the workplace, 76% of full-time workers have reported having at least one symptom of a mental health condition, according to Mind Share Partners’ 2021 Mental Health at Work Report. That’s a 16% jump from before the pandemic as reported in Mind Share’s 2019 report.
“Anxiety about finances is a big driver right now,” says Jacquelyn Hedlund, M.D., senior medical director for Community Health Options. “Consequently, one of most difficult challenges for small group employers is dealing with the manifestations of chronic anxiety over financial concerns magnified by the pandemic. Anxiety manifests as absenteeism, poor productivity and inattentiveness at work. Not only do we see anxiety with our Members, but we see it with our co-workers, as well as with friends and family. Most may not even be aware that what they are feeling is anxiety. That’s how insidious it is.”
When workers experience financial anxiety, the stress not only impacts mental health, but can take a physical toll as well.
“Chronic stress, which has been exacerbated worldwide by the lingering COVID pandemic, has been strongly linked to cardiovascular disease,” according to an abstract published by the National Institutes of Health. “High levels of work or occupational stress have been convincingly linked to a greater risk for hypertension and cardiovascular mortality.”
Employees want to feel good about themselves at work. Feeling unsupported by their employers, millions of employees have taken matters into their own hands and quit their jobs. Some have retired early, while others found new jobs with more support for the health and wellness challenges they face—often at small businesses.
Providing mental health support and resources may give a competitive advantage to small group employers who rise to meet employees’ needs. More than 90% of respondents to the Mind Share Partners’ study said that a company’s culture should support a mentally healthy workplace. And employees who feel supported at work say they are 2½ times more likely to stay at their company for two or more years.
The bottom line is that employers can openly accept that everyone experiences challenges from time to time. Acknowledging that an employee is going through a tough time and encouraging the use of available resources goes a long way toward reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions. And allowing employees to take care of themselves—ultimately so they can bring their best selves to work—gives businesses a competitive edge with teams excited about doing excellent work
As great as New England is, we all must leave it occasionally. When we do, it’s reassuring to take great healthcare coverage along for the ride, which is why Health Options offers great plans with a national network option.
Kid in college in Santa Cruz? Cool. Regular business trips to Baltimore? No problem. Family cabin on Lake Champlain? Go you! Congratulations on making a wise choice on your healthcare options. Having a plan that travels with you across the country means you’re free to roam - and take your accident-prone teenager with you – no worries.
Community Health Options provides national in-network coverage through First Health®, a nationwide preferred provider organization (PPO) of hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers. This network includes approximately 6,100 hospitals, 130,000 ancillary facilities and 845,000 doctors and other health care providers. By choosing from this list of in-network providers when you travel, you can lower your total cost of care.
Having a national network is one thing, but it’s another to know how to access it. Instead of waiting until you break your ankle on a sidewalk 600 miles from home, learn a few basics now. Use the Health First online provider search tool. It’s simple and available 24/7 and includes detailed information.
Using your desktop or mobile device, go to https://providerlocator.firsthealth.com/mcho. Next, select a provider type from the options of Physician, Hospital, Urgent Care Center, Lab and Radiology, or All Providers and enter the ZIP code or State where you’re traveling. If you’re a nervous traveler, you may want to test this search function before you reach your destination. For example, a quick search of Urgent Care Centers within 10 miles of Beverly Hills results in 75 options.
Keep your Member card with you when you travel, remember these steps, or call First Health at 1-800-226-5116, and you’re good to go.
