STUDY: Maestro Health finds 42% of people say mental health inhibits them from performing well in their jobs
The survey of 2,000 U.S. workers examines the relationship between employer involvement in and employee struggles with mental health, burnout and performance in the workplace
CHICAGO, June 10, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Maestro Health, a tech-enabled health and benefits TPA, just announced the release of its Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace survey which examines the state of employees' mental health and how employers are addressing it. The report is based on a survey of more than 2,000 U.S. workers and was collected in March 2020.
Maestro Health found 63% of employees have struggled with a mental health condition at some point in their lives; 42% said their condition has a significant impact on their ability to do their job well. Yet, just over half (51%) of those surveyed aren't comfortable talking to their manager about their challenges, highlighting the need for employers to break the stigma around mental health in the workplace.
"The spotlight that is now on mental health is long overdue, and it's up to employers, healthcare providers and health plans to move the needle on mental wellbeing communication, education and support services available in and out of the workplace," said Nancy Reardon, Chief Strategy and Product Officer at Maestro Health. "Every component of wellbeing, whether it's mental, physical, emotional, social or financial, has an impact on an individual's overall health. By ensuring that benefits and educational marketing strategies prioritize overall wellbeing, employers will eventually see healthier workforces, lower healthcare costs and improved productivity. But if our survey is any indication, there is still a lot of work to be done to realize those benefits."
The survey also examined work-related stress and how well employers educate their workforce about stress and signs of burnout. Key findings include:
- 56% of employees have not received information about mental health from their employers.
- 51% experience work-related stress on a weekly basis, while more than one-third experience it daily.
- 60% have taken a day off strictly because of work-related stress.
- 69% have experienced burnout as a result of their job, with employees in media, healthcare and food industries having reported experiencing the most burnout.
Mental health education doesn't just apply in times of crisis or during open enrollment. It is important we stop separating the mind from the body. Proactively preparing your workforce for future mental health-related issues can prevent employees from experiencing increased fear of the unknown because they are equipped with information and support that can help them better navigate stressors like benefit costs, where to go for doctor visits and which mental health counselors are in their network. By providing continuous open communication about what services are available for employees, how they can access those services and what they will cost, employers have an opportunity to change the narrative and remove the stigma surrounding overall mental health.
"It shouldn't take a crisis for company leaders to put mental wellbeing at the forefront, but now more than ever, employers should be working to ensure their employees have what they need to be well," said Craig Maloney, Maestro Health's Chief Executive Officer. "Maestro Health helps employers empower their employees to take control of their health and wellbeing, and we've built this mentality into our own culture. As a tech-enabled health and benefits TPA, we provide the support and resources employees need to improve both their physical and mental health outcomes—which benefits everyone."
For more information about how Maestro Health helps organizations address mental health in the workplace, please visit: http://www.maestrohealth.com.
About Maestro Health™
Maestro Health works with employers and their trusted advisers to administer self-funded health plans. By blending technology, analytics, care management and administrative services, Maestro Health helps employers optimize their health plans, drive better health outcomes and lower costs. When partnering with Maestro Health, employers can save money on employee healthcare and focus on what really matters—their people.
To learn more, visit: http://www.maestrohealth.com.
SOURCE Maestro Health
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