Join America Back to Work, a weekly podcast, video, and blog series that covers timely and relevant topics affecting the labor market and workforce with industry experts. The series includes recruiting, hiring, retention, employee satisfaction, customer service, background screenings, and more.
The Role of Employers In Fostering Mental Health
Earlier this week, we hosted Sarah Adler, the CEO of Wave, on America Back to Work. She offered invaluable insights into this pivotal shift. A clinical psychologist with a robust finance and healthcare delivery design background, Sarah is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Stanford University Medical School.
Through Wave, she’s pioneering a new approach to mental health services, leveraging technology, predictive analytics, and evidence-based practices to address the pressing need for accessible care.
The Genesis of Wave
Wave emerged from Adler’s acute awareness of the access to care crisis in mental health. “We are in an access to care crisis across the healthcare space, but especially in mental health,” Adler remarked.
This crisis is compounded by a stark mismatch between the available licensed therapists (550,000 in the country) and the exponentially growing demand for mental health services. Wave’s mission, therefore, is to harness technology and innovative care delivery models to make mental health care more efficient, accessible, and cost-effective.
Changing Perceptions of Mental Health
Adler highlighted a significant cultural shift, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials, regarding mental health. These groups view mental health not as a stigmatized issue but as an integral part of overall well-being, driving up demand for mental health services.
This generational shift is reshaping workplace expectations, with employees increasingly seeking employers who prioritize mental health.
The Role of Employers in Mental Health Care
The conversation then shifted to the employer’s role in addressing mental health within the workforce. Adler argued that it’s not just about doing the right thing; it’s also good business sense. “Employers want to prevent churn of their folks who are good workers,” Adler explained.
Investing in mental health fosters a happier, more productive workforce and addresses the substantial costs associated with employee turnover and disengagement.
HR Teams at the Forefront
HR teams are uniquely positioned to navigate the challenges of integrating mental health into the workplace. Adler emphasized the importance of understanding the employee base and aligning benefits and company culture with employee needs. “It is imperative to understand your employee base… What do they need? More importantly, what do they think they need to be happy?” she posed.
This understanding is crucial in curating a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes mental well-being.
Leveraging Technology for Mental Health
Wave represents a cutting-edge approach to mental health services, using technology to expand access and personalize care. “We’re using predictive analytics and data, we’re using evidence-based interventions…to provide better, faster, cheaper care,” Adler detailed.
This approach addresses the access issue and offers a more engaging, effective way for individuals to manage their mental health.
Addressing “Quiet Quitting” and Employee Burnout
The phenomenon of “quiet quitting,” where employees disengage from their work, underscores the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace. Adler connected this trend to the broader issue of employee burnout and the competitive labor market. By prioritizing mental health, companies can tackle these challenges head-on, retaining talent and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Looking Ahead
As the work landscape continues to evolve, with mental health taking center stage, Adler’s insights offer a roadmap for companies navigating this complex terrain. Investing in mental health is a moral imperative and a strategic business decision that can yield substantial benefits regarding employee satisfaction, retention, and overall company success.
By embracing these principles and integrating mental health into the fabric of corporate culture, companies can forge a path toward a healthier, more resilient workforce. As Adler and Wave continue to lead by example, the challenge for businesses is clear: prioritize mental health as a core component of workplace well-being and harness the power of technology to make care accessible to all.
In doing so, companies can address their employees’ immediate needs and lay the groundwork for a future where mental health is recognized as integral to overall success.