Could AI improve our mental health?

TECH SOLUTIONS: Seventy-two percent of employers offer virtual behavioral healthcare and telehealth options to address mental health, and 68% offer app-based mental health support as part of their employee benefits package, according to a survey from business consultancy 美世 .?Yet despite these resources, mental health within the workforce has continued to decline: 65% of employees said they struggled with burnout in 2023, according to a report from HR management platform isolved.

It's clear something needs to change, says Brent Franson , CEO and founder of Most Days , an AI-powered mental health app. Using technology to improve mental health isn't a new idea, but it can be done in tandem with traditional healthcare for better outcomes.?

"We've had this one-size-fits-all access to therapy and have thought that therapy is the silver bullet. It is an important tool, but it's one of many," Franson says. "We need to make sure that we've got options that are helpful for people when therapy isn't the best answer. That's where generative AI and some other technologies can be really interesting and helpful."?

Read more about the app and other tech-friendly solutions to improving mental health: Can AI solve the mental health crisis?

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES: There is no one-stop solution for mental health challenges. Still, the more diversity a health plan offers, the better, underlines Chris Pagnani, MD , medical director of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates . One treatment Dr. Pagnani highlights as an essential part of the mental health package is reduced environmental stimulation therapy, or REST, where a patient is placed in an environment where external stimuli are minimized. The most famous form of this therapy is sensory deprivation tanks, which involve placing a patient in a dark, soundproof tub filled with a foot or less of salt water.?

"When an individual is in this type of an environment, free of typical distractions, they can truly focus on their breath, heartbeat, their own bodily sensations and even meditation," says Dr. Pagnani. "I have had patients state that this type of therapy has been extremely helpful for their stress levels by providing them regular, uninterrupted sessions of complete inner focus and mindfulness."

Read more about the approach and how to incorporate it into your healthcare plan: Why mental health coverage should include sensory deprivation therapy

MANAGER SUPPORT: According to Calm , 65% of employees say that managers have a big influence on their mental health. Sadly, more than half say this effect is negative or neutral. Yet?33% of managers felt they would be awkward and ineffective if they tried to approach the topic of mental health with their team members. As managers' roles have expanded to include looking out for their employees' overall wellness, employers need to equip them with resources and training.?

"There's a different dynamic in the workplace today and the role of managers has evolved," says Scott Domann , chief people officer at Calm. "How do you create an environment and set expectations and demonstrate what success looks like while managing five generations in the workforce? We need to realize the importance of managers' impact on employees and invest in them."

Here are a few steps managers can take right now to better connect with their employees: Managers need help talking about mental health. Here's where to start