More than 47 million people in the United States are living with a mental health condition, according to research published in Mental Health America’s 2021 State of Mental Health in America Report. Nearly a third of adults who have a mental illness also have a substance use disorder, according to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The same set of data shows that employers spend an average of $15,000 more each year on an employee who is mentally distressed than on one who is not, because of increased healthcare expenses, extra days of work missed and increased turnover.

Rather than leaving employees alone to manage the stress and trauma of behavioral health conditions, employers can help employees get the care and support they need by providing specialized, behavioral health-specific care as a health benefit. With access to a dedicated, experienced support team, it’s easier for employees to understand their challenges and seek treatment. As a result, employees are more likely to get the help and care they need and reduce associated healthcare costs.

Behavioral Health Concerns Touch Most Employees

Behavioral health challenges affect a large portion of the population, so care management for behavioral and mental health issues is crucial for employers who want to keep their employees healthy and productive. For example, almost half (46%) of Americans have a meaningful relationship with someone struggling with addiction or have struggled with it personally. In addition, 76% of  U.S. employees reported experiencing at least one symptom of a mental health condition in the past year, according to Mind Share Partners’ 2021 Mental Health at Work Report, conducted in partnership with Qualtrics and ServiceNow.

Even when employees aren’t suffering personally with mental health conditions or substance use disorders, they may have loved ones who are. For example, the percentage of people living in homes where addiction is present has jumped to 32%, a Gallup poll found.

Having a loved one struggling with addiction can often translate into health problems for family members, as they are stressed and preoccupied. Loved ones of people struggling with addiction are five times more likely to use emergency services (Snyder Health Services).

How Behavioral Health Care Management Works 

Narus Health, a Lucent Health company, offers a behavioral health program as one of its five key disease management programs. When behavioral health care management is integrated into your health plan administration, employees and their families can access the care they need—including medical, recovery and counseling—in one location, ensuring privacy and avoiding stigma. Choosing a plan administrator that provides specialized care management for behavioral health can have a positive impact on employees’ health outcomes as well as on employers’ bottom lines.

Lucent Health members who need support can conveniently access education and support virtually—no matter where they are in their journey. Through a partnership with Youturn Health, Lucent’s behavioral health solution includes a three-part program:

• Education: Lucent Health members have access to Youturn Health’s online learning management system, which features an extensive library of educational, inspiring and insightful videos designed to increase understanding of stress, anxiety and wellness.
• Peer Coaching: Youturn Health’s trained coaches can help members access community resources and programs that best fit their situation. All coaches are state-certified, credentialed by NAADAC (the Association for Addiction Professionals) and specially trained in Assertive Community Engagement (ACE) principles.
• Family Support: Youturn Health’s family recovery program consists of coaches who have experienced being a family member of a loved one who has struggled with, or lost their life as a result of, mental health challenges. These coaches facilitate family healing with the understanding that family support can increase the likelihood that their loved one will seek help for mental health challenges and maintain their recovery journey.

Learn more about Lucent’s behavioral health care management program and how it can cut costs for self-insured companies while boosting health outcomes for plan members.

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