4 services that help employees maintain emotional well-being

Mass confinement orders like isolation and quarantine are new concepts for Americans that raise concern about how people will react individually and collectively. Psychosocial effects such as depression, anxiety, insomnia or loneliness are especially real concerns. The Kaiser Family Foundation notes that 53% of respondents indicated that pandemic-related stress had affected their mental health, up from 32% in March.

Everyone is being challenged by the pandemic—some who face a diagnosis and many others who feel the effects of isolation or quarantine orders. Although we may find ourselves physically separated from friends and family more than ever before, it is vital to find a way to remind ourselves and each other that we are not alone.

Supporting workers through difficult times 

A Human Resource Executive article challenged businesses and their HR departments to find ways to help make employees feel safe and confident in returning to the workplace. As companies develop and deploy return to worksite plans and put safety precautions in place,  benefits advisors employers need to ensure they have the right resources ready now to help address the emotional health of employees remotely and in the office.

There are a variety of ways in which benefits advisors can work with employers to enhance their offerings, including access to a variety of services that help foster emotional well-being and provide value to employees from day one. The services vary, but are designed to encourage physical wellness and help ease emotional health stressors employees may experience during and after the pandemic. Below are a few programs clients can consider:

• Employee assistance programs, commonly known as EAPs, provide short-term support from specialists who help resolve personal problems that are affecting their performance on the job. They can assist with a range of issues including substance abuse, work/life balance, child care or relationship difficulties.
• Health advocacy services provide a personal health care concierge who can assist with numerous tasks, including explaining a diagnosis, clarifying health care coverage, addressing claims questions, obtaining second opinions, negotiating bills, and finding doctors and treatment centers.
• Wellness programs such as gym memberships, online yoga and fitness classes to help develop and nurture healthier lifestyles through virtual assistance, digital workshops, discounts, meal planning and more.
• Financial support services, including phone consultations with professional counselors on a range of topics such as debt management, life insurance, college funding, credit management and more, as well as access to financial tutorials and calculators, webinars and other resources.

Coming together in a time of need 

Given the ever-changing developments with COVID-19, the stresses that many experience as part of the current climate can afford businesses the opportunity to address concerns that might be difficult for employees to express. Thankfully, benefits advisors can help clients embrace their role in not only maintaining the safety and productivity of employees, but offering emotional health support and showing they value and care for their workforce.  

Stephanie Shields is senior vice president of Broker Sales at Aflac where she is responsible for executing Aflac’s broker strategy and leading its team of broker sales professionals, as well as leveraging Aflac’s strong relationships with national and regional insurance brokers.