Apps That May Help Productivity For Those Suffering From Mental Health Issues

About one in four of us will have a diagnosable mental illness in any given year. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or some other mood disorder. It’s also costing us on the job– with lost production.
Stress, anxiety, or even depression can come from a hectic work environment or toxic workplace. Other times, it’s just balancing work with life. Either way, the cost to companies can be massive.
“Probably in excess of $100-billion in terms of lost productivity and lost time from work combined,” said Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO of Mental Health America.
Gionfriddo sees hope on the horizon for employers and employees with something called telemental health.
“It can be much more effective at identifying people early and getting them into services, care, supports, and treatment at a time when they can most easily recover,” said Gionfriddo.
Telemental health includes mobile apps like Ginger, Cast Light, or Talk Space. The apps don’t diagnose mental illness but can detect a pattern or risk. Then you are connected to the help you need.
This is good for businesses who see stress manifest itself in absenteeism, lower productivity, and disability. So now, more and more companies are making sure employees are aware of the online options.
“Our program is currently being used by large employers with over 50,000 employees, also government employers, and also many small companies, as well,” said Eric Lucas, the Oxygen Plan.