Telehealth, also called telemedicine, allows you to receive health care without an in-person visit to a provider by using computer, tablet or smartphone.
 
Telehealth technically started in the 1940s in Pennsylvania when providers realized they could send radiology images over the phone lines between two townships. In the 1950s, a Canadian doctor expanded on the concept and constructed a teleradiology system that was used in and around Montreal. And in 1967, the University of Miami School of Medicine partnered with a local fire department to transmit electrocardiographic rhythms over radio to Jackson Memorial Hospital in rescue situations.

Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month. It was established to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.

Telehealth is now playing a huge role in treating mental health and substance abuse. Telehealth is a covered benefit by many employer-based health plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid plans.

Winter holidays are meant to be a joy-filled season with family and friends, but they also can bring a lot of stress. Here we are in 2021, with the continued risk of COVID-19 and its new variants still posing threats. In addition, now we have product and food supply shortages across the country – this sounds like a recipe for a higher-than-normal stress-filled holiday season. 

The pandemic has had an enormous impact on every aspect of our lives, including the way employees view employee benefits. Employers are having to rethink what kind of perks, benefits and incentives will keep workers engaged and offer a competitive advantage in a post-pandemic world. 

Mental health is an incredibly broad subject. When you hear someone talking about mental health, what do you think? It is not just about people who have multiple personalities or severe alcohol or drug additions.

It’s that time of year again for many employers. Health insurance renewals may feel like a pain; however, they may be one of the most important decisions you make each year.
 
Your renewal is the time to start a conversation with your agent or broker about whether your current plan is working well for you and what type of renewal options may be available for your small business.

Everyone experiences stress from time to time. In fact, 79 percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their daily lives.
 
Whether it’s routine stress, traumatic stress or sudden stress brought on by a negative change like losing your job or developing an illness, these types of stress carry physical and mental health risks.
 
The Covid-19 pandemic also can cause stress in many ways for your employees. It's important to encourage your employees to find healthy activities to maintain their well-being.
 
So how should they, and you, relieve stress? Here are five simple ideas you can share around the office and put into action now.

(Shareable infographic at the end)

The threat of COVID-19 appears to be flattening and companies are looking at ways to safely bring employees back into the workplace. And while it’s important to figure out how to enforce social distancing and keep work areas sanitized, the psychological challenges of working during a pandemic should not be underestimated.

Mental health experts recommend that employers pay particular attention to employees’ mental health.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that one in five adults in the United States will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. The effects of mental illness often seep into the workplace. The rate of unemployment is higher among U.S. adults who have mental illness, and the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that the annual cost of depression is estimated at $44 billion in lost productivity to American companies.

Ways to promote good mental health in your place of business include: