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The Challenges That Corporate Mental Health Programs Face
Part 1: Context matters
Relatively high rates of symptoms of anxiety (6.33% to 50.9%), depression (14.6% to 48.3%), post-traumatic stress disorder (7% to 53.8%), psychological distress (34.43% to 38%), and stress (8.1% to 81.9%) have been reported in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, Spain, Italy, Iran, the US, Turkey, Nepal, and Denmark. Job insecurity, long periods of isolation, and uncertainty of the future worsen these psychological conditions. In addition, having inadequate support, experiencing occupational stress, lack of workplace preparedness, financial concerns associated with changes in income and daily living, fear of transmission and burnout and fatigue may all worsen mental health. Many employers have been quick to respond.
Is the corporate response adequate?
Businesses are rising to the occasion. In 2020, mental health support went from a “nice-to-have” to a true business necessity. In 2021, the stakes have been raised even higher. Many employers began offering an extensive array of new considerations, products, and services such as mental health days or weeks, four-day workweeks, and enhanced counseling benefits or apps.
In fact, in one 2021 survey, 54% of respondents believed that mental health was…
