Addressing Employee Mental Health Well-Being
Kate Hubben
Vice President, NFP, an Aon company
In today's fast-paced world, employee mental well-being is no longer a perk—it's a necessity. The statistics paint a clear picture: work life is getting worse, well-being is declining, and job demands are increasing. The COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest and challenging financial markets exacerbate these issues, bringing isolation, loss, and routine changes to the forefront. It's time to acknowledge the struggles and implement solutions.
The Growing Crisis
The World Health Organization now recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon. Feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and difficulty performing tasks are all signs that employees are struggling. Stress, worry, sadness, and anger are on the rise, impacting employees' ability to do their jobs. This isn't just a personal issue; it's a business one. Low engagement costs the global economy trillions of dollars, with engaged but not thriving employees experiencing high levels of negative emotions that can lead to burnout.
Why It Matters
Investing in employee mental health isn't just the right thing to do; it's also a smart business strategy. Studies show that for every dollar invested in depression and anxiety treatment, there's a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. In an era defined by “The Great Resignation,” companies must offer innovative benefits to attract and retain talent. Childcare, impact programming, flexible leave policies, and professional development opportunities are becoming increasingly important.
Practical Solutions
So, what can organizations do to support their employees' mental well-being?
- Mental Well-being Programs: Implement programs such as sleep improvement, digital CBT, mental health champions/allies, and mindfulness programs.
- Flexibility: Recognize that work and home life are integrated. Offer flexible schedules and remote work options to empower employees to manage their responsibilities.
- Engage Vendors: Partner with vendors to provide accessible mental health services, including virtual and in-person options for employees and their families.
- Leadership Buy-In: Encourage leaders to share their own experiences with mental health and provide ongoing support and training to help them combat burnout.
- Communication: Brand emotional well-being within the workplace and communicate mental health benefits in an engaging way.
Case Study: Fairfield County, Ohio
Fairfield County's commitment to employee well-being demonstrates the impact of these solutions. By introducing an on-site gym, virtual exercise classes, a wellness platform, free yoga classes, an on-site wellness clinic, and a concierge service, the county renewed its commitment to its employees. Most notably, Fairfield County introduced a full-time counselor to provide on-site counseling to employees and dependents. The results speak for themselves: increased employee health, reduced fixed costs, and improved employee retention.
The Bottom Line
Employee mental well-being is a critical component of a successful organization. By addressing the growing crisis with practical solutions and demonstrating a genuine commitment to their employees' well-being, organizations can create a healthier, more engaged, and more productive workforce. It's time to prioritize mental health and create a workplace where employees can thrive.
Kate Hubben
Vice President, Corporate Benefits, NFP
Summary of Qualifications
Kate worked in the public sector the first half of her career and has been an employee benefits consultant for 15 years. Kate currently works with large self-funded groups for NFP and is consistently recognized for her client retention and tenacity to find savings for her clients. Kate is a certified self-funding specialist, and holds a B.A. from The Ohio State University and an M.P.A. from Cleveland State University.
Responsibilities
Kate is vice president of NFP and works with companies and public entities all across the United States. She is responsible for all strategy for groups with over 250 employees struggling to find ways to handle the consistent annual increases in healthcare costs. Healthcare is 17% of our gross domestic product (GDP) and we have an acute problem of affordability and a chronic problem of spending. Kate works with her clients to look at alternative funding models, condition management and pharmaceutical arrangements that can stem this rising cost. Kate leads a team of financial analysts, claim advocates and client managers to deliver results for her clients.
Business Experience
Kate was the senior director of global patient services at the Cleveland Clinic, where she worked with the international medical community in South America and the Middle East. Kate used this experience to move into the insurance side of healthcare and managed care and worked with Willis Towers Watson for 8 years and NFP since 2021 as a consultant.
Professional Affiliations
- In Counsel with Women (Board Member)
- Tri C Foundation (Board Member)
- Cleveland Jewish News (Vice Chair)
Education
- B. A., The Ohio State University
- Masters of Public Administration, Cleveland State University
- Certified Self Funding Specialist, HCAA
