In a given year, one in five Canadians experiences mental illness first-hand. By the time they reach 40, half of Canadians will have had a personal experience with mental illness.

Mental health is a serious issue in Canada. It falls to employers to play a larger role in the mental well-being of their employees; de-stigmatizing mental illness and supporting employee mental health.

Employers need to ensure their employees have access to the mental health help they need, if and when they need it. This can (and at Mednow we'd argue should) include a robust pharmacy benefit plan that provides access to mental health resources.

Fast facts: Mental health in the workplace

Nearly half (47 percent) of Canadian employees say that their job is the most stressful part of their daily life. Only 23 percent say they’d feel comfortable talking to their boss about a mental health issue.

70 percent of Canadian employees have concerns about the psychological health and safety of their workplace with 14 percent saying their workplace isn’t psychologically healthy or safe at all.

Employers might consider mental health a personal issue for their employees to address off the clock. Forward-thinking employers recognize the importance of supporting the holistic health of their employees. These employers know that healthy, happy employees are engaged, productive employees. 

Why employee health matters

Supporting employee mental health isn’t just the right thing to do, it also leads to better business outcomes.

Mentally healthy employees are more engaged and have better relationships with their colleagues. They are less likely to take unplanned time off from work, too, and they will play a more active role in solving problems.

For business owners and people leaders, the productivity benefits of good mental health can’t be overstated.

Happy, engaged employees get more done, can take deadlines in stride and make fewer mistakes. Better individual performance equates to better company performance. 

How a comprehensive pharmacy program can help with employee mental health

The best way to support employee mental health is to make mental health resources available to employees. Before they’re needed. Often, employees don’t know where to turn when dealing with mental health issues. A holistic pharmacy, like Mednow, can be the ideal, low barrier to entry resource to start the journey. Mednow's Preferred Pharmacy program goes far beyond just medication. As a holistic pharmacy focused on people not pills, Mednow ensures employees have the support and resources they need before they need them. 

A plan that supports mental health can do a lot for employers and their employees, including the following:

Mental health screenings

Too often, mental health is ignored unless it reaches a near crisis point. Comprehensive mental health screening plays a key role in recognizing and addressing mental health issues early. This helps patients get started on the journey toward mental wellness sooner rather than later, 

A private mental health screening opens the conversation and allows employees the opportunity to share concerns they might otherwise keep to themselves.   

Personalized recommendations

Mental health is personal. The right interventions differ from person to person. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. 

Holistic pharmacy benefits offer personalized recommendations based on the results of each employee’s mental health screening.

Fast, free medication delivery

Employees who need medication to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety or other concerns shouldn’t have to wait for medications. When medication is needed, Mednow’s Preferred Pharmacy program ensures its delivered fast and free, often the same day.

Easy access to pharmacists

Comprehensive pharmacy benefits include easy access to a pharmacist via phone, chat, or video conferencing.

This can be a life-saving feature for those who are experiencing medication side effects or have questions about their medication management plan. The sooner they get their questions answered, the sooner they can start making improvements. 

Medication adherence assistance

More than one-quarter — 26 percent — of Canadians aren’t taking medications properly. That includes medications prescribed for mental health.

A pharmacy benefit program should offer medication management plans and adherence assistance to ensure patients take the proper dose, take their medication at the right time, and avoid adverse effects.

With PillSmart™ from Mednow, daily medications are packed in simple daily dose packs that are easy to use and hard to forget. 

What mental health resources should a pharmacy benefit plan offer?

A pharmacy plan that includes mental health resources is an excellent choice for employers who care about employee well-being, want to improve employee engagement and set their teams up for long-term success.

Not sure what to look for in a pharmacy benefit plan? Make sure it includes the following:

• Mental health checks
• Easy pharmacist access via phone, video chat, etc.
• Prescription medication
• Free medication delivery
• Pharmacogenetic testing to see how each employee’s body will respond to certain medications
• Medication management and adherence assistance

Mental health is a crucial workplace issue. The right pharmacy benefit will help you address it head-on and better support your employees.

Mednow helps employers support total workplace health

When employers support employee mental health, they don’t just improve productivity and engagement. They also boost morale and create a better work environment for themselves and their teams.

Choosing the right employee benefits plan can have a big impact on employee mental health and overall well-being.

Not sure what to look for in a pharmacy benefit plan? Contact Mednow today to learn more about Mednow, the Preferred Pharmacy program and the mental health supports the holistic pharmacy of the future can offer your employees. 

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