Despite the growing awareness around mental health issues, many standard health benefits programs still fall short in addressing this part of employee wellbeing. This oversight leaves a significant gap in employee support, resulting in missed opportunities to enhance both mental and physical health outcomes. 

This means there is a real opportunity for substantial improvement. By advocating for holistic health programs that properly consider and prioritize mental health, benefits advisors can help their clients support the full spectrum of employee health. The outcome is not just a healthier workforce, but also better productivity and lower health care costs in the long run.  

The overlooked importance of mental health 

Mental health issues are far more prevalent in the workplace than many realize. In the United States, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year, which translates into tens of millions of people.