Australia is in the midst of an unprecedented mental health crisis, according to experts, due to the pressures of modern life, compounded by global events.

Clinical Psychologist, Dr Carolyn Lorian said workplaces were bearing witness to the silent struggle amid a surge in anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, employees are struggling to manage.

A recent study, issued by Amwell, found 67 per cent of survey respondents experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression in the workplace.

Increased work stress and the rising cost of living were contributing to poor respondents’ poor mental health, while absenteeism, lack of productivity, and turnover stemming from mental health concerns were costing Australian employers more than $10 billion a year.

Making matters worse, was a lack of access to mental health support, with 68 per cent of survey respondents finding it difficult to find in-person services for mental health care.

Around 45 per cent of respondents who could access in-person care said they encountered wait times of up to one month, underpinning the need for alternative solutions, including easy access to online mental health support within workplaces.
  
Dr Lorian said prioritising access to digital health platforms in the workplace was a good way for employers to support both teams and the overall health of their businesses.

“We’re moving toward employee mental health being the number one priority for organisations,” said Dr Lorian. 

“Our research shows that business leaders across Australia are seeing higher turnover rates and increased absenteeism directly related to the mental wellbeing of their employees.

“By providing an online therapy platform, employers can help their workers gain instant access to the mental health support they need. Digital mental health offerings are increasingly important as wait times and costs make in-person therapy inaccessible for many Australians,” she said.

Along with missed workdays and compensation costs, indirect business costs associated with mental health include poor performance, decreased employee satisfaction and higher staff turnover – an expense that could be reduced as 70 per cent of respondents said they’d be more likely to stay in a job if it offered mental health support.  

At Honeysuckle Health, implementing an online mental health program has been a game changer.

The health services company utilises Amwell’s Silvercloud, that it describes as a “therapist in your pocket”, providing 24/7 access to digital mental health support.

Honeysuckle Health’s Chief Growth Officer Cass Frei said one of the benefits of the virtual therapy platform was that it empowered people to take charge of their mental health when it works for them. 

“The usage patterns show that our approach benefits patients immensely, giving them the power to work on their mental health when it’s most convenient,” Ms Frei said.

“Support is available when users wish to find a quiet time to engage in their mental health and wellbeing. Some logins will be more than 30 minutes and others might only take five minutes. It’s about users finding a time that works for them,” she said.

Honeysuckle Health has supported about 800,000 Australians through digital mental health programmes, reporting a 60 per cent clinical improvement rate.