After two years of Covid-19, experts in mental health are now seeing a more defined outline of how the pandemic has affected citizens globally. Findings from the World Health Organization indicate that more support is urgently needed to help those affected by mental health issues exacerbated or caused by the pandemic. Many countries, including the U.S., are heeding this warning, providing more care and attention to those afflicted. However, gaps remain in company health plans, especially regarding mental health.
For many, jobs were put on hold or lost as controversial pandemic restrictions claimed more companies. Working remotely is now far more common, and although it may seem that things are beginning to settle, it’s still a far cry from ‘normal.’
Having to work away from coworkers and the work environment has led many employees to suffer an increase in anxiety and depression as much as twenty-five percent within the first year. Although companies are reopening their doors, concern remains about continuing mental health conditions that have, for some, extended to physical symptoms.
Who Is Suffering?
Working remotely has certainly enhanced social isolation and loneliness among workers, aggravated by a lack of familial support and community engagement. Certain groups feel the strain more profoundly than others.
Health workers are among the most stressed, burned out from the constant pressure, long hours, and proximity to pandemic front lines.
Younger adults under strain are shown as having stronger leanings towards suicide and self-harming behaviors.
Women seem to be more impacted than men due to various possible factors, including mixing working from home with the added burden of school shutdowns.
For those employees already battling cancer, or living with heart disease or asthma, isolation may be more intolerable and possibly terrifying due to fear contracting Covid-19.
Workers in higher age brackets have encountered difficulties navigating technology now required to work remotely and have a higher risk of Covid-19 repercussions due to existing health issues.
What Can Employers Do?
There has been a considerable amount of misinformation or lack of reliable informationregarding health concerns due to Covid-19. However, no one can deny that the pandemic has dramatically influenced how people cope with changes in the workplace and manage personal health.
Companies can help their employees cope with the added stress of working remotely or in a hybrid environment by keeping their staff protected from chronic stress and mental health concerns. One way to do that is to enhance the company benefits package from standard health care to incorporate elements that directly combat the fallout of the pandemic.
PerkPass is dedicated to helping companies attract, retain, and regain their talent foothold. Our mandate is to step up traditional and outdated health care benefits through custom-fitted programs, including enhanced mental health programs.
We’ve centralized dozens of mental health benefits to one application so employees can find more programs that fit their unique interests and health needs. If you’re considering supporting your employees with more benefits, we encourage you to explore some of the services on our app for or book a free consultation to review your goals and explore how we can rejuvenate your program and support your people.