Serious mental illnesses are on the rise and employees are feeling the impact both on and off the job. In fact, 1 in 20 U.S. adults has experienced serious mental illness, and many struggle to access specialized or complex care quickly and effectively. Serious and complex mental illnesses include substance use disorders (SUD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and suicidal ideation, to name a few. Without access to specialized, tailored care, these people often face significant barriers to receiving appropriate and effective treatment, leaving their needs unmet. 

Despite this increased need and visibility, few workers access the care that they need when they need it. It’s estimated that less than 10% of people with alcohol use disorders get treatment. Strong stigma still exists around these complex conditions – especially at work. Many solutions require employees to call various doctor’s offices, sift through available providers, and manage insurance challenges alone in an already isolated and stressed state.

Without appropriate support, these employees may struggle to meet even basic job requirements, leading to a higher risk of job loss or financial instability. People with complex or acute mental health conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing escalated symptoms, such as suicidal ideation and severe anxiety attacks. These situations require immediate and specialized intervention to prevent harm and ensure safety and well-being. Without appropriate treatment, complex and acute mental health issues can lead to severe consequences, including long-term disability and hospitalization.

Investing in comprehensive mental health support is essential to safeguard the well-being and lives of today’s workforce.

How to assess specialty mental healthcare options

Considering the complexity of these disorders and their impact on the workforce, a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health simply won’t suffice. When evaluating a solution for their employees, employers should look for the following attributes:

Early identification: By utilizing comprehensive screening tools, regular assessments, and data-driven analytics, mental health solutions can detect early signs of severe mental health challenges, such as mood disorders, anxiety, or trauma-related issues. Early identification allows for timely intervention, personalized treatment plans, and proactive support, reducing the risk of crises and promoting better long-term outcomes. 

Multidisciplinary team: Enlisting a team of professionals, including mental health coaches, therapists, and psychiatrists that work together is paramount to address the full spectrum of each person’s unique needs.

Tailored and flexible treatment plans: Everyone's mental health journey is different, so it’s important to have personalized treatment plans that fit their distinct symptoms, history, and circumstances. Care should also adapt as a person’s condition changes, making sure the support stays effective over time.
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24/7 immediate access and longitudinal support: Complex mental health conditions often require immediate intervention, so solutions that provide round the clock access to care and crisis support are able to address needs more effectively in the moment. Given that these conditions often require ongoing management, solutions need to be designed to offer long-term care options that continue even after an initial crisis is managed.

Evidence-based practices:  Evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other scientifically validated treatments are important because they rely on rigorous research to ensure their effectiveness, improve patient outcomes, provide structured and measurable interventions, and reduce the risk of harm in addressing mental health issues. These approaches also offer consistency in treatment, allowing for more predictable results and helping clinicians make informed decisions tailored to individual needs.

Quality monitoring and evaluation:  It is important to continually evaluate the effectiveness of treatment through ongoing monitoring and outcome assessments to ensure each person receives the full benefit of the intervention.

‍Concierge care experience: Solutions should provide members with access to care coordinators who help them navigate the complexities of their treatment journey, offering tailored guidance and ensuring that every aspect of their health is managed holistically. By connecting members with trusted local resources and in-network providers, this approach affirms continuity of care and an obstacle-free experience.

Whole-person support: Many complex mental health conditions are accompanied by other issues, such as chronic physical illness like diabetes or hypertension. A holistic approach addresses these comorbidities alongside the primary mental health condition. Solutions should also incorporate social support resources, including referrals to family therapy, peer support groups, or community resources, to provide a broader support system.

‍Culturally-responsive care: Culturally responsive care is important because it acknowledges and respects the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and values of individuals, leading to more effective communication, increased trust, and better health outcomes. By tailoring care to align with cultural contexts, it helps reduce health disparities, ensures equity in treatment, and fosters a more inclusive healthcare environment that recognizes the unique needs and experiences of all patients.

Confidentiality and privacy: Confidentiality and privacy is critical to ensuring that people feel safe to seek help without fear of judgment or breaches of privacy when seeking treatment.

‍Crisis management plans: Clear protocols for managing mental health crises, including safety planning, emergency contact options, and rapid response capabilities are paramount to ensure that member safety is at the forefront.

Maintenance and skill-building: Transitioning back from treatment to daily life can be challenging, particularly for those recovering from serious mental health issues. Employers who offer ongoing support during this time can make a significant impact on their employees' long-term well-being. This may include ongoing accountability check-ins, continuous symptom monitoring, and access to self-guided tools such as mindfulness to enable people to maintain their mental health independently. Such comprehensive care promotes sustained recovery.

These attributes collectively ensure that a solution is robust, responsive, and capable of meeting the nuanced needs of people with complex mental health conditions, ultimately leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life.

How Headspace can help

At Headspace, we know that many people dealing with specific mental health challenges, like substance use disorders, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders, often struggle to get the right support quickly. That's why we've created an evidence-based, always-on approach that surrounds each member with a holistic support system tailored to their needs. Using natural language processing and a highly trained team, we can identify early warning signs, and our clinicians use evidence-based tools, like the American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines, to recommend the right level of care.

Depending on the severity, some members can get treated by a Headspace provider, while others might need more specialized care and will be referred to higher levels of care. Treatment plans can include virtual or in-person therapy, virtual psychiatry for prescriptions, referrals to intensive outpatient programs (IOP) or partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and case management support. For members who stay with us, we offer ongoing coaching and content after specialized care. 

For those who need to be referred to other care, our Director of Psychiatry reviews their case to see when they’re ready to come back to Headspace. From there, they move into relapse prevention and stabilization, with access to coaching and clinical services. Our comprehensive support system provides flexible, personalized treatment plans to help each person achieve lasting recovery.

Investing in mental health not only supports the well-being of employees – it also yields substantial long-term benefits for the business by reducing costs, enhancing productivity, and building a more engaged workforce. Reach out to learn more about the Headspace approach to specialized care.

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