The pandemic continues to disrupt daily lives as the Delta variant of COVID-19 sweeps through the country. The rate of stress-related disorders has also started to rise again amid ongoing unpredictability. In this episode, we speak to two behavioral health experts on how employers can best support employees this fall.

• Employers play a vital role in supporting employee mental health. Providing support may look different in hybrid and remote working situations, but it’s all the more important and in even greater demand. [5:00]  
• Clear communication is key. Studies show that one of the largest sources of stress is unpredictability. Clarity, patience and flexibility are critical in these times. [7:35]
• Make resources easy to find. It can be stressful for employees to have to search for support. Streamline mental health resources in one central hub to support employees, rather than overwhelm. [9:37]
• The pandemic has accelerated virtual access. With the rise of digital access, care and support can be accessed at almost any time from nearly any location with no drive-time required. [11:10] 
• Create a culture of trust. Provide a safe place for people to open up and be vulnerable about what they’re feeling to promote understanding and enhance team building. [13:42] 
• Leaders set the tone. Prioritize executive education so that employees are encouraged to access resources by seeing examples and role models among the leadership. [15:57]
• We remain in challenging times: all hands on deck are needed. Resources like Mental Health First Aidempower employees to become advocates for organizational wellbeing. [17:20] 
• Additional resources: Webinar, Supporting behavioral health at work.

Featured Speakers 

 Kerry Ressler
M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, McLean Hospital and Professor, Harvard Medical School 

Kerry J. Ressler, M.D., Ph.D., focuses on translational research, bridging molecular neurobiology in animal models with human genetic and epigenetic research on emotion, particularly fear and anxiety disorders. He has published over 300 manuscripts, ranging from genetic basic molecular mechanisms of fear processing to understanding how emotion is encoded in the brain across animal models and human patients.

Swapnil Prabha
Vice President, Digital Offerings, Unum

With 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, Swapnil is the Vice President of Digital Offerings at Unum. Prior to joining Unum, Swapnil spent seven years at McKinsey & Company where she was a leader in the Insurance Practice, focused on Digital Services across all lines of business and Employee Benefits specifically.

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