Sydney, May 22: A report issued today by Amwell found 67 per cent of Australian survey respondents experience symptoms of anxiety and depression in the workplace.
To combat this issue, Amwell® has launched a new-to-market digital mental health platform, SilverCloud®, which offers evidence-based digital mental health programs based on cognitive behavioural therapy.
Survey respondents said increased work stress and the rising cost of living were contributing to their poor mental health.
Absenteeism, lack of productivity, and turnover stemming from mental health concerns cost Australian employers more than $10 billion a year.
A lack of access to mental health support compounds the issue, with 68 per cent of survey respondents stating it’s difficult to find in-person services for mental health care.
Furthermore, 45 per cent of respondents who could access in-person care said they encountered wait times of up to one month, highlighting the need for alternative solutions such as online mental health support in Australian workplaces.
The SilverCloud® by Amwell® platform launched in Australia in 2022 and supports more than 600 organisations across health systems and health plans worldwide to deliver digital mental health services.
The Amwell report, “Healthy Minds, Healthy Margins: The Economic Upside of Accessible Mental Health Support in the Workplace,” provides insights into the needs of employees. It outlines key challenges and vital strategies for employers, organisations, and mental health services supporting the Australian workforce.
Dr Carolyn Lorian, Clinical Psychologist and Head of Clinical Transformation at Amwell, says prioritising access to digital health platforms in the workplace is a good way for employers to support their teams and the health of their businesses.
“We’re moving toward employee mental health being the number one priority for organisations,” said Dr Lorian.
“Our research shows that business leaders across Australia are seeing higher turnover rates and increased absenteeism directly related to the mental wellbeing of their employees.
“By providing an online therapy platform, employers can help their workers gain instant access to the mental health support they need. Digital mental health offerings are increasingly important as wait times and costs make in-person therapy inaccessible for many Australians,” she said.
Along with missed workdays and compensation costs, indirect business costs associated with mental health include poor performance, decreased employee satisfaction, and higher staff turnover – an expense that could be reduced as 70 per cent of respondents said they’d be more likely to stay in a job if it offered mental health support.
Evidence-based online therapy provides a solution for Australians struggling with mental health, offering easy access to support when they need it.
For employers and mental health care providers, digital interventions can help reduce costs associated with poor mental health in the workplace.
Honeysuckle Health implemented Amwell’s SilverCloud mental health programs into its care pathways to support the Australian workforce. The health services company says it’s seeing immense value in the SilverCloud platform’s “therapist in your pocket” model that provides 24/7 access to digital mental health support.
Honeysuckle Health’s Chief Growth Officer Cass Frei says one of the benefits of the virtual therapy platform is that it empowers people to take charge of their mental health when it works for them.
“The usage patterns show that our approach benefits patients immensely, giving them the power to work on their mental health when it’s most convenient. Support is available when users wish to find a quiet time to engage in their mental health and wellbeing. Some logins will be more than 30 minutes and others might only take five minutes. It’s about users finding a time that works for them,” Frei said.
Honeysuckle Health says it has supported about 800,000 Australians through digital mental health programs.
For those who have completed the virtual programs, there was a 60 per cent clinical improvement rate. Honeysuckle Health provided this intervention at a cost 80 per cent less than an in-person or phone visit.
Media & PR: editor@dailystraits.com. Copyright 2021–Present DailyStraits.com. All rights reserved.