In today’s interconnected world, the boundaries between work and home life have never been more blurred. As employers strive to create supportive workplaces, one crucial reality is clear: when an employee’s child struggles with mental health challenges, the entire family—and workplace—feels the impact.
The Teen Mental Health Crisis Affecting Your Workplace
The statistics tell a compelling story about why employers can no longer afford to overlook teen mental health:
- More than 50% of working parents report needing additional support from their employers to manage their children’s wellbeing¹.
- Over half of working parents have missed work specifically to address their child’s mental health needs².
- Spending on mental health services for teenagers has surged by 55% from 2013 to 2020³.
These numbers represent real workplace challenges: decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, higher healthcare costs and employees who are present physically but distracted mentally by concerns about their children.
The Ripple Effect on Your Organization
When employees are worried about their teens, the consequences extend throughout your organization:
- Reduced focus and productivity as parents attempt to manage their children’s mental health crises during work hours⁴.
- Increased healthcare utilization as families seek increasingly scarce mental health resources⁵.
- Higher turnover risk as employees seek employers who understand and support their family needs⁶.
- Diminished workplace wellbeing as the stress of parenting distressed teens follows employees to work.
In today’s competitive talent landscape, supporting the whole family isn’t just compassionate it’s a strategic business advantage.
Introducing Magellan’s Collaboration with BeMe: A Revolutionary Approach
Recognizing this critical need, Magellan Healthcare has teamed up with BeMe to offer a groundbreaking solution designed specifically for teens and young adults ages 13-22. This innovative mobile platform meets young people exactly where they are–on their phones–providing accessible mental health support that actually resonates with this digitally native generation.
The BeMe app takes a proactive, science-backed approach to teen mental wellbeing by:
- Building resilience and self-understanding through age-appropriate tools and resources.
- Creating a secure, supportive digital environment where teens can freely express and explore their emotions.
- Empowering young people to take an active role in their mental health journey.
What Makes BeMe Different from Other Mental Health Solutions
BeMe stands apart through its comprehensive, evidence-based approach that includes:
- Personalized content and activities.
- Over 40,000 engaging resources.
- Live one-on-one coaching.
- Seamless integration with Magellan’s Employee Assistance Program for virtual counseling sessions.
- 24/7 crisis support resources for immediate assistance.
Becoming an Employer of Choice
In a competitive talent market, family-supportive benefits are increasingly becoming a differentiator. By offering BeMe, your organization:
- Demonstrates genuine commitment to employee wellbeing that extends beyond the workplace.
- Addresses a critical need that many working parents are struggling to manage alone.
- Positions your company as forward-thinking and responsive to real-life employee challenges.
- Creates a supportive culture that recognizes employees as whole people with family responsibilities.
The Bottom Line
The mental health crisis among teens isn’t just a family issue, it’s a workplace issue that directly impacts your organization’s performance, healthcare costs and employee retention. By partnering with Magellan and BeMe, employers can offer a turnkey solution that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of employees while simultaneously strengthening organizational outcomes.
Ready to explore how Magellan Healthcare’s Employer Solutions can transform your benefits offering and support your employees’ families? Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/Employers.
References:
- Magellan Healthcare and Workplace Options Working Parent Research Study, 2022
- American Psychological Association, Stress in America 2023 Survey
- Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI), “Health Care Spending on Children and Young Adults,” 2022 Report
- Harvard Business Review, “The Impact of Employee Wellbeing on Productivity,” 2023
- Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, “Parental Stress and Workplace Outcomes,” 2022
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “Family-Friendly Benefits and Retention,” 2023 Survey
