Mood disorders cause the largest disease burden and loss of work productivity in the working population.1 Among those, depression looms large. According to Mental Health America, depression ranks among the top three work-related issues for employee assistance professionals. The annual average for major depressive episodes—a description classifying serious depressive symptoms that last over a period of two weeks or more—is 7% among full-time…

Dropout rates among college students remains alarmingly high. As of 2021, over 40% of students in the U.S. fail to earn a bachelor’s degree within six years from the college where they began enrollment, according to the U.S. Department of Education.1 Not surprising given the pressures of higher education, the risk of dropout increases with level of education.2 A study from Michigan State…

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a modified form of cognitive therapy that utilizes mindfulness practices such as meditation and breathing exercises. MBCT uses: Mindfulness techniques to enhance internal awareness and early recognition of maladaptive tendencies; and Principles of cognitive therapy to learn how to disengage from unhealthy patterns once they’ve been recognized. The evidence suggests that MBCT can effectively reduce anxiety and depression…

Currently, more than 50% of people who are struggling with mental illness in the United States do not receive the medical care they need.1 One of the biggest barriers to receiving mental health treatment is perceived stigma. Defined as the process of labeling, devaluating, and discriminating, stigma can present both as negative or discriminatory attitudes that others have about mental illness, as well…

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of psychological treatment used to help patients find new and more constructive ways to behave through improving their thought patterns. CBT is based on the belief that psychological issues largely arise from unconstructive thought patterns and maladaptive behavior, both of which can be greatly improved through self-awareness and prescribed coping strategies. The primary goal of…

The stats don’t lie: Social isolation is on the rise. More than 1 in 4 Americans live alone—the highest rate ever recorded.1 The percentage of adults who are married is also declining, as is community involvement (measured through things like volunteerism and religious affiliation).1 One of the most significant factors impacting social isolation has been the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns, mask mandates, and…

The need for a targeted campaign against workplace mental illness is becoming increasingly apparent in today’s work climate. How Mental Health Is Affecting Your Workplace A recent survey of 34,622 employees looked at the relative cost of different health conditions as measured by the sum of medical costs and lost productivity. Researchers found that depression ranked as the single most costly condition, while…

Emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) is a form of short-term therapy used to improve relational attachment and bonding. In this post, we’ll discuss the basic tenets and theories of EFT and some example of cases where this therapy can be beneficial. History of EFT Developed by doctors Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg in the 1980s, EFT is rooted in research on the human emotional experience…

A recent global survey conducted by HCM Oracle has confirmed employee mental health is a crisis of top priority—and the solution preferred by most employees is AI mental health support. 82% of People Prefer Robots to Humans in Mental Health Care Many employees are hesitant to speak with management about their mental health. Instead, according to the Orace study, they indicate a preference…

Currently, one in five children ages 13-18 are living with a mental health condition (Walker, 2018). Although the majority of students with a mental health disorder respond positively to qualified healthcare, 70% do not receive adequate treatment (Walker, 2018). Contributing to the lack of support provided for children struggling with mental health problems is a severe shortage of qualified school counselors and psychologists. However, even…