Mental health benefits are valuable resources that many employers offer. These resources can help you manage stress, anxiety and other mental health concerns. However, 1 in 4 employees are unaware whether their organization offers mental health benefits. This means that you may not be fully aware of what mental health benefits are included in your benefits plan or how to best take advantage of them.
This article explores common mental health benefits and offers tips on how to make the most of them.
Common Mental Health Benefits
Organizations offer mental health resources to maintain a happy and healthy workforce. The benefits included in a benefits package vary by employer, plan design and enrollment selections. Common mental health benefits include the following:
- Flexible work arrangements: Options like remote work, flexible scheduling or compressed workweeks may help you balance personal and professional responsibilities and support mental well-being.
- Talk therapy: Counseling or psychotherapy with a trained professional can help treat trauma, anxiety and other conditions. Therapy is often covered by insurance if deemed medically necessary.
- Psychiatric care: Psychiatric services include diagnosis and treatment for mental health disorders. Coverage may vary depending on your plan, but usually includes consults, therapy, and emergency services.
- Employee assistance programs (EAPs): These work-based programs offer confidential counseling and resources for issues like stress, substance use, marital conflict and financial stress.
- Sick leave or mental health days: Many employers allow sick leave to include time off for emotional wellness. Check your PTO and sick leave policies for mental health flexibility.
- Wellness programs: Programs may include screenings, smoking cessation support, nutrition education and more to promote holistic health.
- Gym memberships: Employers may offer free or discounted access to gyms or fitness programs to support physical and mental health.
- Mental health first-aid training: This training teaches employees how to recognize and respond to mental health issues in others and support co-workers in distress.
Understanding Your Mental Health Benefits
The right approach can help you maximize your organization’s mental health resources. Consider these tips:
- Dedicate time: Take 30–60 minutes to explore your employer’s mental health offerings so you’re informed when you need them.
- Educate yourself: Resources may be shared in plan descriptions, internal websites, employee handbooks, or HR communications.
- Check your benefits materials: Review annual enrollment guides and plan updates to stay current.
- Speak with your manager: Supervisors can help clarify options and may offer scheduling flexibility or workload adjustments.
- Consult HR: HR or benefits administrators can guide you through available programs and how to access them.
Learn More About Your Mental Health Benefits
Understanding and using your employer’s mental health resources can make a significant difference in managing challenges. For more information, contact your HR department or connect with us here.
This Know Your Benefits article is provided by Hodge, Hart & Schleifer and is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of an insurance professional. © 2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.