An increasing number of employees are reporting higher levels of stress and burnout. But whereas once these conversations would have been stigmatized or avoided in the workplace, companies today are integrating mental health support into their daily workflow.
More than one-third of U.S. workers report that their mental health has taken a turn for the worse due to long hours and excessive workloads, according to a 2023 survey from The Conference Board. Meanwhile, CB Insights identified 100 mental health tech vendors expanding access to mental health services, including workplace wellness platforms that address stress and burnout. Experts estimate the number of mental health-related, self-help apps total somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000.
“Since COVID, mental health is paramount concern, with people wanting to find meaning and joy in their lives,” said Kim Bercovitz, PhD, a business-to-business wellness expert in Potomac, Md.
More employees expect to work for companies that provide mental health and wellness resources. A recent survey by Mindspace found that nine out of 10 employees factor well-being facilities and offerings as a critical component when choosing a workplace, and 82% expect support from their employers in achieving a work-life balance.
Overcoming Negative Thoughts
Accounting firm Grant Thornton surveys its 9,000 U.S. employees every quarter to find out what matters most to them, and concerns about mental health have continued to accelerate since the pandemic, said Jeanna Shapiro, the firm’s chief people officer.
Since April 2020, the firm has offered employees access to Happify, a science-based website and app that offers activities, games and meditations that can help reduce stress, stop negative thoughts, and build resilience and mindfulness. In the last two years, there's been a 90% increase in employees signing up for the app. Most are using it to help them conquer negative thoughts and managing stress, Shapiro said.
“I love some of the quick games like the conquering negative thoughts track that teach me to replace negative thoughts and feel more positive by changing simple habits,” said Mary Loftus, manager of colleague support, who has been using Happify since 2020. “I have also used the mediation tracks to reduce my stress levels.”
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Managing on-the-Job Stress
Financial services firm Synchrony checks in with its 18,500 employees on a regular basis to understand what support they need to do their jobs better. Its frontline hourly associates — those who are tasked with answering customer questions and resolving disputes — frequently raised concerns about mental health.
“Taking back-to-back customer calls can be intense,” said Marcos Leyva, a provider training specialist for Synchrony.
To help its customer service reps manage their on-the-job stress, Synchrony is testing out the use of Thrive Resets, 60-second, science-backed breaks developed by behavioral change technology company Thrive Global that encourages users to breath and stretch. After completing a customer call, Synchrony customer service reps receive a prompt encouraging them to complete a Thrive Reset. It’s up to them whether to accept or decline it.
The program currently has 80.5% acceptance rate among the customer service reps participating in the pilot program, said Virginia Davis, Synchrony vice president of employee experience. In fact, 72% of users at Synchrony said they would rather receive a Thrive Reset than have a minute to themselves between calls, she added.
“Thrive Resets have encouraged me to pause with a purpose,” Leyva said. “I’m able to shift perspective, reduce stress and be more productive, which allows me to prepare for the next conversation and provide the best service and empathy for our customers.”
Salaried employees will have access to Thrive Global later this year. The company initially tested the wellness platform with dozens of employees who are also caregivers. Synchrony is able to embed the well-being platform directly into people’s daily experience, offering tools, webinars and personalized resources, and all integrated into the Microsoft Teams, Davis said.
When Anne Nash transitioned into a new role as vice president of marketing strategic accounts, she set a reminder to check-in with Thrive Global at 11 a.m. daily. “It's amazing what a pause for 5 minutes in your day to check-in with yourself can do for your mental health,” she said.
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Developing Stronger Relationships
Since January 2022, consulting and account firm Wipfli LLP has been offering its U.S. employees and their spouses access to Virgin Pulse, an app that provides support for every aspect of wellbeing, including mindfulness, fitness and financial wellness. Nearly 2,500 of the firm’s 3,200 employees are using the app, said Melissa Klade, director of total rewards and HR systems at Wipfli LLP.
In addition to helping employees manage their own wellbeing goals, Virgin Pulse encourages staff to create a sense of community by allowing teams and individuals to set up fitness challenges, such as office walking competitions, Klade said. “For those looking for stronger relationship, the app can create friendships and a sense of purpose and connection with your workgroup,” she said. “I get challenged by my colleagues on a weekly basis.”
Last spring the firm created a companywide walking competition, and it plans to invite employees to participate in another challenge this December to help them deal with holiday stress, Klade said. “We want to remind employees to take a break,” she said.