The Health Care Industry Faces a Challenge: Mental Health is a Critical Issue

The COVID-19 epidemic has brought to light the serious mental health crisis in the country. It forced us into a new paradigm of holistic health care, where mental health is a critical component. The stigma surrounding mental health is slowly being removed.

Normalizing the conversation around mental health is critical when you consider that More than 120 million Americans live in areas with a shortage of mental healthcare providers. Mental Health Awareness Month in May. This month is a great time to review where we stand to address the nation’s deep gaps.

CVS Health and Morning Consult recently conducted the fifth survey on Americans’ mental health since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was encouraging to see positive trends. 56% of respondents said that society is more comfortable having mental health discussions. These are other important findings.

• A greater number of Americans are concerned about their mental health and the mental well-being of their friends and family.
• Technology can improve mental health. 63% of respondents and 58% agreed that it is easier to engage in telemedicine and digital tools for treatment.
• Employers need to promote a culture of mental health. 74% agreed that employers should provide resources and access for their employees, but only 35% felt comfortable talking about mental health with colleagues.

These statistics call for action and guide our efforts in the healthcare industry. I believe that Americans can see mental and physical health as the same. Our responsibility is to make systemic changes and help people understand their full health. As the head of Aetna (a CVS Health company), I lead over 43,000 colleagues who serve the 24.5 million members’ health care needs. It is both a personal and professional imperative to ensure mental health awareness and care is at par with physical health care. Three distinct areas are where we need to be active:

1. Expanding easy and convenient access to mental health care.
2. Access is an important determinant of who receives mental health care. Therefore, our teams must identify and support quality providers and offer the resources needed to meet varied consumer needs. Because of this, I am proud of the support provided by the CVS Health Foundation to the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics in its efforts to increase the number of licensed mental healthcare clinicians who provide services to the poor.
3. We also offer various telemedicine options, including on-site and hybrid care. This helps our members get the high-quality care they require. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, Aetna has experienced a 1000-fold increase in telehealth visits. In 2022, we supported 10,000 virtual psychological health visits. Last year, however, that number exceeded 10 million.
4. We must expand mental health care options to allow people to access the help they need and conveniently for them when they need it.
5. Promote open communication with customers about the importance and value of mental health.
6. If I look back at the conversations with customers over the past two years, it is rare for them, not to mention mental health. This dialogue is essential to ensure that we build benefits packages and other offerings that include mental health as a key component of holistic health.
7. To build healthy and productive workforces, we must address the emerging issues over the last few years. Referral guides, sites for mental health, dedicated guidance, such as suicide prevention material, and resources like this article and our survey results will all be useful tools in furthering the conversation.
8. Promote a culture of support for mental health in the workplace.
9. The work environment is constantly changing, and employees are now dealing with significant stress. After the pandemic, jobs are becoming more mobile and remote. The flexibility comes with its own set of challenges. Back-to-back video calls and no time limits, blurred lines between personal and professional time, increased isolation and decreased interaction with people. Companies have a responsibility to recognize these stressors and provide mental health resources and tools to their employees.
10. People can bring their best to work by empowering them to take charge of their mental health. CVS Health is committed to creating a work culture that promotes mental well-being. We place a high priority on mental well-being and encourage open communication. One of our first actions was to offer the Thrive app to all employees and contractors. This will help to improve focus, strengthen relationships with others, and improve overall well-being. If we can lead by example, it will be easier for us as executives to create a culture that encourages discussion and normalizes mental health at work.

Our survey and other studies reveal some good news. Americans are becoming more concerned about their mental health. However, they are also becoming more comfortable having conversations that eventually lead to treatment. As health care professionals, our role is to ensure that this happens and that treatment options and resources are available for all who require them. The final goal is that seeking treatment for depression or stress and help for family members suffering from anxiety should be as easy as getting your annual check-up, flu shot, or treatment for broken bones.

CVS Health and Aetna are working hard to increase mental health care accessibility, provide holistic care solutions that customers require, and create a culture that supports and accepts people seeking treatment for their mental health. My fellow leaders in the health care sector are invited to join me and ensure that health care is holistic and comprehensive. Mindfulness is crucial to your overall health.