In today’s hiring market, a benefits package that prioritizes mental health will set an organization apart when it comes to talent acquisition and retention.

By giving employees benefits they value, they are more likely to be engaged, miss fewer workdays, and are less likely to leave for another organization. These days, according to the latest  Sanofi Canada study, employees want to feel healthier and happier while having more freedom and control over their benefits.

Employees’ top 3 must-haves for their mental health benefits coverage

1. More virtual care

Employees want (and some generations expect) on-demand, convenient, discreet and timely care when they need support — especially when it comes to mental health services.

Technology is able to make this possible. This is especially important with Covid-19 and its fluctuating risk levels and situational restrictions.

By giving employees access to virtual care, they are more likely to engage with their mental health benefits — getting more overall value.

2. Personalized coverage

Gone are the days of the one-size-fits-all approach. Today’s diverse and multigenerational workforce are demanding a flex plan or health spending account (HSA) that gives them control over exactly what types of services will best support their mental health.

In fact, 74% of plan members would like more flexibility and the ability to trade-off what their plan covers and for how much. By providing flexibility, you’re empowering employees to access the mental health support they need to function at their best.

3. The option to upgrade by paying out-of-pocket

A growing number of employees (approximately 53%) are interested in the option to foot the bill to upgrade their coverage. This openness to a shared-cost model indicates a trend towards employees valuing preventative care and wellness. This is a way to give individuals better access to care and services that matter to them, but are traditionally limited i.e. therapy, CBT tools or coaching.

Fundamentally change how your employees experience mental healthcare

Many organizations have an opportunity to make improvements to their mental healthcare benefits plan. Before your next renewal, take the time to assess how your current mental healthcare services measure up to what employees want. Validate the trends by surveying your employees for insight into what’s working and what’s not working with their current mental healthcare coverage. What will emerge are the big opportunities for your team to fundamentally change how employees experience mental healthcare so they can function at their very best.

Book a demo of the Snapclarity virtual mental healthcare platform to see how it will transform your employees’ experience.