Editor’s Note

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a good reminder for employers to laser-focus on the mental wellbeing of employees. As the pandemic has led to the majority of employees working from home, many have had to deal with isolation, loneliness, grief, anger, increased anxiety and depression while navigating the new paradigm of working and supporting their families.
 

Employers are paying more attention to employee mental health today and are offering proactive healthcare benefits too. However, when employers look to implement new health benefits and providers, what are the crucial components to be aware of? Are brokers prepared for the new benefits model employers and employees want? What are some of the cybersecurity risks surrounding employee benefit plans? Check out this issue of Employee Benefits & Wellness Excellence for answers to these questions and more.

This month’s cover article, How To Implement Mental Health Benefits by Dr. Millard Brown, sheds light on the six critical components employers need to be aware of, for optimizing mental health benefits. The article also offers tips to ensure a healthy, productive, and competitive workforce, as mental health concerns continue to rise.

Tight deadlines, being short-staffed, and ever-increasing job demands often cause people to stay in a stressed-induced state for the long-term. Include the additional anxiety brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, and you can see why workplace stress is increasingly referred to as a “silent killer.” Catch up with Dr. Innocent Clement’s article, Creating Your Post-Pandemic Corporate Wellness Programs that talks about various ways to help your employees, while keeping healthcare costs in-check.

The traditional, outdated employee benefits experience is on its way out and it is all about total well-being now. The ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic have sent the demand for a new benefits model barreling forward with no turning back. Read Craig Stephen's article, Are Brokers Prepared For The New Benefits Model That Employers And Employees Want? for more insights on how this transformation has become a wake-up call for brokers.

Understanding how hybrid work intersects with other shifting workforce priorities like mental health and wellness will be critical for companies looking to future-fit their workplaces. Cynthia Kantor, in her article, Building A Wellness-Based Office Of The Future, helps us understand the key requirements to thrive in the post-pandemic world.

This is just a sneak peek into what we have for you in this edition of Employee Benefits & Wellness Excellence. We hope you enjoy reading all the informative articles included in this issue and do not forget to get back to us with your valuable feedback.

Stay Well! Stay Happy!
 

---