The Present and Future of Telehealth Mental Health Care in the Workplace

The ongoing coronavirus crisis has already galvanized people into self-isolation. The isolation has already resulted in great stress among individuals across the US. Over 16 million Americans are estimated to be suffering from some form of depression; this number is likely to go up as the pandemic wreaks havoc on the streets.

As a result, many workers today are relegating to their employer provided mental health plans, widely encouraged by the employers themselves. They have realized the gravity of the disruption caused on their employee’s normal way of life, and how it can lead to unfathomable stress. There has also been a significant increase in the number of therapy sessions. 

Telehealth in Workplace

Telehealth Mental health platforms like Ginger have noticed a rise in their user base as well. This shows that employees are now turning to telehealth technology to find reprieve from their mental health problems. Glass – a company that deploys their tool to help users find behavioral health practitioners have reported a 25% increase in their client base. Modern health –  a virtual mental health app, on the other hand, has reported a 50 % increase in their user base. 

Headspace, a popular meditation app has also found a substantial increase in their users. They say that meditation on their app has become 13 times more often than any previous month. Headspace’s user base is mostly filled with Google and LinkedIn employees. Taking advantage of this opportunity, they have proceeded to create a free content hub to provide guided meditation and mental health exercises as the global lockdown continues. 

So as you can see, many telehealth apps are experiencing feats of success that they never dreamed of achieving. Addressing mental health has become a priority amongst businesses, who really want their employees to sail through these troubled seas without any problems whatsoever. Employees too, are relying on the available technology and programs in unprecedented numbers. Although mental health program existed before the pandemic hit, it had never been as popular as it is now.

Many Employers are actively encouraging users to take advantage of the EAP resources at the disposal of their employees. It is in times of such anxiety and uncertainty that behavioral health practitioners like counselors and psychiatrists are needed. However, with social distancing in effect, it is impossible to attend therapy sessions. This is precisely why Telehealth has come out as such a champion.  

Employers understand how crucial their staff’s mental health is. In times where conference, meetings and other office practices have halted, mental health care has become a need of the hour for employees to maintain their productivity.

It is estimated that people with mental health issues report 20% drop in their productivity. Companies have no choice but to think about the safety and wellbeing of their employees. Apart from work, the desire for some form of human connection has also lead to such technology gaining momentum, thus helping users connect with their loved ones.

 The Future of Telehealth Mental Health Care

Many epidemiologists have delivered warning signs of a yearlong fight with the novel coronavirus. In other words the virus is here to stay. In such a scenario, the work cannot be halted for an extended period of time. People will need to learn how to live with the crisis, and as a result people will need constant counseling. Thankfully, telehealth has never as advanced as it is today. With telehealth, you can rest assured your bread and butter continues while taking care of your mental health. Yes, the virus is here to stay, but so is the omniscient presence of telehealth.

DENmaar’s TeleHealth Services

At DENmaar, our telehealth solution offers both patients and providers with a communication technology that allows the access and management of health care services from homes of patients or the practices of doctors.  This tele-conferencing feature allows practitioners to attend to their patients, on their computer screens, where-in they can consult and serve their clients without having to make them wait in their clinics or making them transit long distances. 

All you have to do to access our feature, whether you are a provider or patient, is to sign up to our app and avail our telepsych feature.