Employee Benefits Planning Association (EBPA)

A key takeaway from our mental health in the workplace events was: Leadership sets the tone for mental wellness in any organization. It's not just about offering resources but ensuring that leaders are equipped to model behaviors we want to see when it comes to emotional wellness. So, what does that look like? 💡 Managers should normalize conversations around mental health, demonstrating vulnerability and prioritizing their own wellbeing. 💡 Leadership training in emotional intelligence and mental health awareness is critial. If our leaders aren't trained in these areas, how can we expect them to notice warning signs and support their teams effectively? ACTIONABLE STEPS: 1. Modeling healthy behaviors—leaders taking time for mental breaks or self-care sets a powerful example. 2. Providing clear, accessible mental health resources—whether it’s an integrated EAP, coaching, or onsite support, employees need to know where to turn. 3. Creating a culture of care—from establishing employer resource groups to soliciting direct feedback from employees about their mental health needs. Lisa Burt (Aon) emphasized that if you don't know what your people need, ASK THEM!! That might sound obvious, but it's pretty rare that people ask and are ready to hear the answer and do something about it. Finally, a startling stat from the panel reminded about the stakes: It takes the average person 11 years to seek care for a mental health issue. 11 YEARS!! Early intervention, guided by supportive leadership, doesn't just impact mental health - it directly reduces medical costs and creates a more engaged, productive workforce. How is YOUR organization supporting its leaders in fostering a culture of care? #mentalhealth #cultureofcare #workplacewellbeing #employeebenefits

Another powerful insight from the EBPA panel last week: Early intervention in mental health has a direct impact on reducing medical costs. Peter Freeburg (Cigna Healthcare) shared that mental health conditions can make plan members 3-6x more expensive to the health plan, and the average person waits 11 years to seek care. 😯 This highlights the importance of early screening, coaching, and ongoing support for employees. Employers need to ensure that resources are accessible, whether it's through EAP, coaching, or condition-specific support. Creating a proactive mental health strategy is not just about cost savings—it's about care. #mentalhealth #workplacewellbeing #eap #employeebenefits

Last week we learned that the barriers to mental health care often exist at the company level. A siloed ecosystem limits access, and if employers don't know what their employees need, it's time to start asking. As Lisa Burt from Aon reminded us: "If you don't know what your employees want or need, you need to ask them." 💡 🙌 Building effective solutions requires integration—from EAPs to onsite support—and aligning them with organizational strategy. Leadership plays a crucial role, modeling desired behaviors around mental health to foster a supportive culture. More learnings to come! #leadership #mentalhealth #workplacewellbeing #workplaceculture

At the recent EBPA event, we explored the growing importance of measuring and monitoring mental wellbeing in the workplace. Employers need to ask key questions: ❓ Are we measuring for effectiveness? ❓Are we educating our leaders on emotional wellness? ❓Do we have peer-level support and culturally competent providers? 💡 Barriers to mental health access often exist within companies themselves. Breaking down these silos, listening to employees’ needs, and building a culture of care are essential steps in creating a supportive environment. Stay tuned for more learnings later this week. #mentalhealth #workplacewellbeing #employeebenefits #culture

Last Thursday's session on mental health in the workplace was a huge success. During a busy 4th quarter and open enrollment season, we saw record setting attendance - a true testament to how important this topic is, especially in today's workplace. A huge thank you to our phenomenal speaker, panelists, and moderator for sharing your invaluable insights and expertise. The conversation was rich, impactful, and timely, and it's already sparking ongoing discussions. In fact, we've had numerous requests to make this mental health conversation an annual event. We're so grateful to everyone who contributed their time and knowledge to making our session possible. Your dedication to advancing mental health in the workplace is inspiring. This gratitude includes you Aetna, a CVS Health Company. This event couldn't have been possible with our your generosity. Let's continue to prioritize these conversations. We are excited to build on this momentum and see how we can support mental health for employees everywhere. Speaker: Lisa Burt | Aon Moderator: Anu Arora | Reverb Panelists: Katie Best, LCSW (First Choice Health), Peter Freeburg (Cigna Healthcare), Alicia Kelsey (Headspace), Anna Meiners (Canopy Wellbeing ) Organizers: April Bloomfield (Aetna, a CVS Health Company), and Katie Dunn (Carrum Health) #mentalhealth #workplacewellness #EAP #employeebenefits

We're deep into our mental health in the workplace conversation this morning! The room is FULL and that's clearly a testament to the content and our thought leaders. Stay tuned for our biggest learnings! #mentalhealth #wellbeing #employeebenefits

📢 Last Chance: Registration closes tonight at midnight! 📢 We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 📅

🗓 Only a Few Days Left to Register! 🗓 Don't miss out on an incredible opportunity to dive into innovative approaches to mental health access in the workplace. Join us this Thursday, October 3rd at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle for our Employee Benefits Planning Association event: "Transforming Workplace Wellbeing." 🏢 Learn from leading experts on how companies are reshaping mental health access for employees. 🎯 Gain actionable insights to improve workplace wellbeing. 🎓 Approved for 2 CE Credits! ⏰ Event Time: 7:45 AM - 10:00 AM 📍 Location: Washington Athletic Club, Seattle, WA It's not too late to sign up! Click the link below to register today (link in comments). We look forward to seeing you there! 🌟 #mentalhealth #workplacewellbeing #employeebenefits #mentalhealthaccess

📢 We're just one week away from EBPA's mental health in the workplace event on Thursday, October 3rd! Join us at the Washington Athletic Club (WAC) for an insightful morning focused on mental health solutions and strategies to improve workplace well-being. There’s still time to register, so don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation! We’re thrilled to have Anu Arora, a renowned leadership coach and mental health advocate, moderating our panel discussion. With her extensive experience as a senior leader in the tech industry and a deep understanding of human psychology, Anu empowers leaders and teams to prioritize well-being and resilience. Her passion for empowering women and promoting inclusivity makes her a powerful voice for building supportive, stress-resilient workplaces. Anu will share practical strategies to help leaders manage stress, foster emotional resilience, and drive innovation through a focus on mental health. We can’t wait to see you there! 📅 Event Date: Thursday, October 3rd Location: Washington Athletic Club (WAC) #mentalhealth #workplacewellbeing #employeebenefits

Have you registered for our discussion on mental health in the workplace (Oct 3rd)? As we gear up for EBPA's upcoming education event on Thursday, October 3rd, we are excited to introduce one of our expert panelists: Alicia Kelsey, Consultant Relations Manager at Headspace Health. Alicia brings over a decade of experience in corporate health and wellbeing, with the last four years dedicated to mental health solutions. At Headspace, she is focused on and passionate about providing sustainable mental health support for employers, helping organizations offer their teams the resources they need to thrive. Alicia’s expertise in consulting, employer benefits, and point solutions will provide invaluable insights into fostering supportive work environments and making mental wellness a priority. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from thought leaders like Alicia and discuss the innovations, challenges, and strategies for improving mental health access in today’s workplaces. Be sure to register for the event and join us in this important conversation! (Registration link in the comments below) #mentalhealth #workplacewellbeing #employeebenefits #healthcare