Wellbeing along the family journey: Why mental health support is essential for parents and parents-to-be

Nine out of 10 adults believe the U.S. is experiencing a mental health crisis, according to a survey by CNN. The aftereffects of the pandemic, shifting reproductive health restrictions, and economic anxiety all take a toll on employees’ mental health. Without proper support, declining mental health can affect how employees show up at home—and at work.  One in four working parents report feeling burned out at work, and the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that lost productivity due to burnout and other mental health issues costs American companies $44 billion annually.

With over 25% of employees turning to their employers for mental health support, more and more companies are providing access to convenient, virtual mental health care. This trend shows no sign of slowing, with mental health benefits becoming a must-have for top companies to attract and retain talent, especially for employees who are starting and raising their families. 

How can you ensure the mental health support you’re offering parents and parents-to-be not only meets the moment but also improves overall health outcomes and lowers costs? The key lies in providing specialized mental health care. Here’s how it makes a difference. 

How virtual mental health support helps employees starting and raising their families

Improving health outcomes for birthing parents & babies

While up to 1 in 5 birthing parents experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (or PMADs), they are the most underdiagnosed, untreated, and common complication of childbirth.  PMADs are associated with poor overall health outcomes for new parents and babies, which can drive up healthcare costs. For instance, pregnant people who experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are more likely to deliver preterm or by C-section, which carry significantly higher costs, and people who experience postpartum depression incur 90% higher healthcare costs than those who don’t. Ensuring birthing parents have access to mental health providers who specialize in PMADs like postpartum depression is critical to filling these gaps and lowering costs.

Helping employees navigate fertility treatments

Fertility treatments can be extremely distressing—people with infertility are shown to have the same stress levels as those with cancer and heart disease. While providing financial support for fertility care is a critical component for your employees, integrating mental health support is just as important. Clinical studies indicate that stress can impact the chances of conception, as well as the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy through IVF. Employees considering or going through fertility treatments should have access to mental health specialists as part of their overall care team as they navigate their journey. 

Supporting LGBTQIA+ employees along their family journey

LGBTQIA+ employees deserve gender-affirming care and want access to therapists who understand their experiences. Studies also show that this community is at a higher risk for depression and mental stress during pregnancy. Providing affirming and culturally-conscious care is proven to improve health outcomes including dramatically reduced rates of depression and anxiety. Ensuring employees have access to mental health providers who share their lived experiences and cultural background can help them navigate the joys and challenges of their family journey. 

Caring for working parents and parents-to-be with Maven

As employers look to implement policies and programs to better support the mental health of parents and parents-to-be, Maven is here to help. Maven is the leading women’s and family health company, connecting parents and parents-to-be with the resources they need to thrive on their path to and through parenthood. Through our solution, parents can access on-demand mental healthcare, 24/7 specialist support, clinically vetted content, and community groups and forums of their peers. 

To learn more about how to support working parents, download our toolkit. Or, to explore how Maven can make a difference at your organization, contact us today.