Kids and teens have had a tumultuous bout since the pandemic began. For two years they’ve switched between remote and in-person; masks and no masks; classrooms and living rooms. This unpredictability has been especially influential on young minds, leading to a 46% uptick in new or worsening mental health conditions since March 2020, according to a C.S. Mott poll.
Working parents are then left to find solutions to this crisis — and with their child’s health on the line, it’s inevitable these issues will translate to the workplace. Adding virtual teen therapy to your company’s healthcare program will give parents peace of mind while increasing employee productivity, presenteeism and loyalty.
Why Employees Need Teen Teletherapy
Accessibility and Convenience
Kids, teens and parents alike have come to love the overall convenience of virtual therapy. The last thing a young person wants to do is drive to the clinic with mom or dad, especially if they have the option to hop on their tablet instead. Even if parents aren’t as tech-savvy, C.S. Mott reports over half would prefer their child’s next doctor visit to be virtual.
However, it’s not that easy. Youth-focused therapists are far and few between, which means it could be months before the child or teen receives care. Even then, appointments can be inconvenient. Families may need to miss work or school to drive to a brick-and-mortar building on the other side of town. With virtual therapy, kids can access more therapists, enjoy shorter wait times, book appointments outside of school hours and receive care from the comfort of their couch.
Quality of Care
The American Psychological Association (APA) reports three in four people show noticeable signs of improvement after attending talk therapy. Nonetheless, kids between the ages of 10 and 17 aren’t known to be the most conversational — especially when prompted to share vulnerable details with a stranger.
The APA found teletherapy was just as, if not more, effective than traditional talk therapy, and it’s easy to see why. Virtual therapy removes stigma around what many teens perceive talk therapy to be: lying on a couch, box of tissues in hand, as a psychiatrist nods their head and takes notes. With a screen as a buffer, young people are more likely to speak up on real issues, leading to better diagnoses and improved symptoms.
Why Employers Need Teen Teletherapy
Boosted Productivity
It’s no secret that happier employees are more productive employees. When your staff is bogged down by home troubles — especially those involving their children’s well-being — it can lead to mental health problems of their own. One American Journal of Psychology study proved a child’s anxiety or depression can bring about similar behavior in the parent, and this costs your company. The World Health Organization found a direct link between mental health conditions and a 35% reduction in employee productivity, which contributed to an economic loss of nearly $1 trillion in 2020.
To keep your business profitable, you need engaged employees. To keep employees engaged, you need to offer them tools that cultivate a peaceful home life. With so many kids and teens struggling, virtual therapy may be the most valuable tool of them all.
Increased Loyalty
Many parents feel hopeless in finding solutions, which gives employers an opportunity to step in as unsung heroes. The answer for many families could be as simple as securing affordable, accessible virtual therapy for their children. Offering this benefit as part of your healthcare package shows employees you not only care about their well-being, but also their family’s. While altruism alone may be enough motivation, providing this service could lead to increased loyalty, productivity, respect and overall job satisfaction among your team.
HubSpot reports 69% of employees work harder when they feel appreciated and heard. And with 81% of all employees considering leaving their jobs, retaining talent is more important now than ever. A loyal team is the key to stronger culture, less turnover and more revenue — but it can only be achieved by supporting employees both inside and outside the office.
Learn more about our teen therapy telehealth solutions.
