Family caregivers are the unsung heroes who provide vital support to older adults and people with disabilities. In the U.S., over 53 million family caregivers (up from 43.5 million in 2015) give unpaid care to loved ones—often while juggling jobs, family and their own wellbeing.

• 61% manage caregiving while working full- or part-time.
• 60 – 70% are women.
• 72% skip regular doctor visits because of their responsibilities.
• 41% report low overall wellbeing, and nearly half (47%) have experienced anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges in the past year.
• 45% have faced at least one financial hardship due to caregiving.

Experts remind caregivers: you don’t need to be perfect. Focus on what you can control, take one day at a time and make space for your own care. Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh or call your program for confidential mental health resources.

Working on Social Wellbeing

• Those people with social wellbeing have strong interpersonal relationships and have love in their lives that gives them positive energy. It helps to maintain multiple close relationships that encourage you to achieve, be healthy and enjoy life.
• It’s wise to cultivate your existing relationships: strengthen your family bonds and nurture your friendships. Always seek out new connections and participate in your community. Share your talents for the benefit of those around you.

Mental health plays a crucial role in every aspect of life: work, relationships, physical health and overall wellbeing. Mental health screenings are a simple and effective way to check in on how you’re feeling and identify whether symptoms of conditions like depression or anxiety might be present. A mental health screening is a brief questionnaire designed to spot signs of potential concerns. It’s not a diagnosis, but it can help you or a loved one decide if it’s time to reach out for professional support.

Why screen?

• Depression and other mental health issues can affect anyone regardless of age, background or lifestyle.
• Screenings can catch early signs before symptoms become more serious.
• Early support can lead to better outcomes and prevent long-term impacts.
• Treatment can improve daily functioning and quality of life at work, school and home.

Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh or call your program for confidential mental health resources.

As summer winds down, it’s time to gear up for the school year ahead. Here are some tried-and-true tips to make the transition smoother for both kids and parents:

• Start easing into the school routine early—adjust bedtimes gradually a week or two before the first day.
• If your child is starting at a new school, schedule a tour to help them feel more comfortable in the new environment.
• For nervous kids, share encouraging stories (even your own!) about overcoming back-to-school jitters.
• Keep everyone on track with a visible family calendar in a common space like the kitchen.
• Fuel focus and energy with a healthy breakfast that includes protein.
• Set up a consistent, distraction-free space at home for homework and study time.

Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh or call your program for confidential mental health resources.

Working on Career Wellbeing

Career wellbeing means doing meaningful work that fits your strengths and feeling supported while doing it. But even high achievers can struggle with imposter syndrome. If self-doubt creeps in:

• Focus on facts, not fear. Track your wins and revisit positive feedback.
• Talk to a mentor or peer for perspective.
• Remember: your work matters, and so do you.

Confidence grows when you align with purpose and recognize your progress.

Spotlight Magellan gives colleagues and those we collaborate with the opportunity to get to know Magellan employees beyond the surface through facilitated interviews that explore their personal interests, experiences, and aspirations. Through intentional engagement, Spotlight Magellan fosters a sense of community and connection, strengthening relationships and creating a more enriching shared experience.

This month, we’re getting to know Rebekah Hardin, director, employer strategy & vendor management. Rebekah has been with Magellan since June 2021.

Continue reading to learn more about Rebekah:

Describe a typical workday in your life.

A typical workday for me involves working closely with our employee assistant program (EAP) vendor partners and acting as a liaison between the vendors and internal teams. I really enjoy getting to collaborate with so many different teams and diving into problem solving! Whether it’s addressing immediate issues that impact our customers and members or finding long-term solutions, it’s a good mix of challenge and reward. I also support the employer monthly operations report and our all-hands meetings, where I enjoy bringing a little fun each month with new themes, people celebrations, spotlights and maybe some random trivia.

Do you have a favorite recipe you love to make (or have made for you)?

I have three kids under the age of five-years-old, so I like to say that I’m on an episode of “Chopped.” Every night is a new challenge of putting together a well-rounded, delicious meal in under 30 minutes with the ingredients I already have and for the strongest critics (toddlers)!

In one word, how would your family and friends describe you?

Adventurous! I’m always up for a good adventure!

What is the farthest place you’ve traveled (or would like to travel to one day)?

I’ve been very fortunate to travel to over 50 countries so far! My favorite destinations are in South America: Patagonia, Easter Island, Galapagos Islands and Buenos Aires. I’d love to return with my kids to see these places through their eyes.

Do you have any pets? Tell us about what quirky personality traits your animals have!

We have three dogs with eclectic personalities. Pepperoni (Heeler/Aussie mix), George Barkington (Heeler/Pitt Mix) and Hank (Heeler/Pitt/Lab mix). Pepperoni is our bossy old lady, George is our cranky, comfort-loving middle-aged guy, and Hank is our enthusiastic, animal chasing, lovable pup.

What is your self-care routine after the work week/ favorite ways to unwind after work?

I love to get outside and work in my garden to unwind. There’s something super relaxing about digging in the dirt, yanking out some weeds, moving and arranging my flower beds and just being surrounded by green. It’s my happy place and totally clears my head and makes me feel refreshed. Plus, watching plants grow is kind of magical!

What is your favorite family or cultural tradition you’d like to share with others?

Almost every Christmas since before I was born, my extended family has done a live re-enactment of the Nativity. Some years, we had specific themes (for example, “the three caballeros” instead of the three wise men). New family members play “Baby Jesus,” and the costumes continue to evolve a little bit every year. We’ve now continued this tradition with my kids and nieces and nephews using many of the same costumes such as Burger King crowns, tinsel angel halos and shepherds’ robes all used from the last 40+ years!

Good nutrition has a major impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Certain foods and nutrients help your brain make chemicals that can improve your mood, attention and focus, while less healthy foods sap your energy.

• Foods that provide a quick energy boost but can leave you with low energy and mood later on include flour-based items such as breads, crackers and baked goods, plus sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks.
• A meal that effectively fuels your mood is one that combines complex carbohydrates with lean proteins and colorful produce. For example, complex carbohydrates from whole foods (like sweet potatoes, rolled oats, beans and quinoa) can boost the feel-good chemical serotonin in your brain.
• Protein consumption (from foods like fish, beef, chicken, turkey, tofu, beans, eggs and unsweetened yogurt) has been linked to higher levels of dopamine and norepinephrine—brain chemicals that impact your mood, motivation and concentration.
• Fruits and vegetables are high in nourishing vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and have also been shown to boost happiness.

Working on wellbeing: Working on emotional wellbeing

• Being emotionally well is key to your overall wellbeing. People with high emotional wellbeing know and apply their natural strengths, are resilient when faced with challenges, and regularly utilize positive self-talk.
• Support your emotional health by learning things outside of your comfort zone, connecting supportively with others, being physically active, offering forgiveness, embracing your successes and being kind to yourself and others.

Spotlight Magellan gives colleagues and those we collaborate with the opportunity to get to know Magellan employees beyond the surface through facilitated interviews that explore their personal interests, experiences, and aspirations. Through intentional engagement, Spotlight Magellan fosters a sense of community and connection, strengthening relationships and creating a more enriching shared experience.

This month, we’re getting to know Stacy Stoner, supervisor, corporate travel program. Stacy has been with Magellan for over 23 years!

Continue reading to learn more about Stacy:

Describe a typical workday in your life. 

There isn’t a typical day in managing travel. Every day is managing a new challenge such as weather, hotel issues, flight cancellations or all four tires being stolen from a rental car (true story). I work with CWT and our travelers to ensure policies are followed. Reports are sent to the executive leadership team showing travel spends and trends. In addition, I manage the gift card program and oversee the corporate card program for Magellan.

What are you currently reading?

I’m an avid reader and usually have 20 books on my TBR (to be read) and hold list for my kindle at any given time. Two of my favorite books are The Nightingale and The Glass Castle.

What’s your favorite way to use your PTO? 

I love to spend time with my granddaughter, Madeline, and my grandsons, Sawyer & Graham, in Arizona.

What is the farthest place you’ve traveled (or would like to travel to one day)? 

I previously worked as a flight attendant and both my parents also worked for airlines, so I’ve traveled to a lot of fun places. The top of my bucket list currently is Banff, Canada.

Do you have any pets? Tell us about what quirky personality traits your animals have! 

I have a cat, Khaki, that I adopted in 2020. He loves to sit on my laptop and attend Zoom calls with me!

Every employer wants their workforce to be fully engaged and productive. Yet a growing challenge undermines this goal: presenteeism, where employees are physically present but mentally distracted by personal responsibilities that drain their focus and energy.

The numbers reveal the scope of this challenge. Research from Harvard Business Review shows employees spend 41% of their time on discretionary activities that add little value and could be delegated to others. Meanwhile, the juggling act of modern life—coordinating childcare, managing elderly parent care, and handling household responsibilities while working from home—creates a perfect storm of workplace distraction.

The impact on working family caregivers is particularly striking. More than 23% report either missing work or struggling with reduced performance due to caregiving responsibilities. For those affected, caregiving can reduce work productivity by approximately one-third, translating to an estimated $5,600 per employee when annualized across all employed caregivers. This productivity loss primarily stems from the stress and fatigue that employees bring into their workday.

A Strategic Solution Emerges

Forward-thinking employers are addressing this challenge head-on with practical support systems. Magellan Healthcare’s EAP with Care Membership offers employees unlimited access to the world’s largest network of service providers, streamlining the process of finding and booking both short-term and long-term care for their loved ones.

This employer-paid benefit eliminates the hours employees typically spend searching for reliable caregiving support and household assistance. Instead of scrolling through endless online listings or making countless phone calls during work hours, employees can quickly access vetted professionals through a comprehensive platform.

The Care Membership service spans a full spectrum of family needs, including childcare providers, senior and disability caregivers, respite care, babysitters, housekeepers, errand services, tutors, and pet care professionals—all accessible via a website and mobile app.

Streamlined Process, Verified Results

The platform prioritizes both convenience and safety. Employees can search for qualified providers by location and filter results based on hourly rates, availability, experience levels, and specific qualifications. Every caregiver undergoes background screening before joining the platform, with additional background checks and safety resources available for employees who want extra assurance. There are referral specialists to help employees find the best candidates for their specific needs. Once employees find the right provider, they can easily arrange services and payment through the platform.

The Business Case for Care Support

The Care Membership program demonstrates an employer’s genuine commitment to work-life balance, moving beyond surface-level benefits to address real challenges employees face daily.

With this support system in place, stress-related absenteeism decreases when employees know their family responsibilities are professionally managed. Presenteeism diminishes as mental bandwidth previously consumed by caregiving coordination becomes available for work tasks.

Employee retention improves when workers feel truly supported in managing their complex lives.

When employees trust that their loved ones are in capable hands, they can fully invest their mental energy in their professional responsibilities. This creates a positive cycle where reduced stress leads to improved performance, reinforcing the value of the support system.

Investing in Care Membership represents more than just an employee benefit—it is a strategic decision that strengthens the entire workforce’s capacity to perform at its best. In today’s competitive talent market, this kind of meaningful support can differentiate employers who genuinely understand the realities of modern working life.

Learn more about Care Membership through Magellan’s EAP here.

Source:

• Fakeye, Samuel, Drabo, Bandeen-Roche and Wolff. (2022). “Caregiving-Related Work Productivity Loss among Employed Family and other Unpaid Caregivers of Older Adults.”

Mind Your Mental Health

During the summer, your mental health can be affected by longer days, oppressive heat and changes in schedules. Here are some ways to keep mentally healthier during those lazy-hazy-crazy days.

• Stay active by going for walks or hikes, or doing yoga outdoors, during the cooler morning hours.
• Make sure you always stay hydrated.
• Sit in the shade and express yourself by writing in a journal. Or read a stimulating book.
• Regularly meet with friends and/or family (in cool locations!) to share insights on what’s going on your life.
• If you’re struggling with an issue such as depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, substance abuse or relationship problems, reach out to your program for professional assistance.
• Check in on your vulnerable neighbors during heat waves.
• If you’re traveling, make sure to refill your prescriptions in advance.

Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh or call your program for confidential mental health resources.

Working on Wellbeing: Working on Career Wellbeing

• Career wellbeing is about finding meaning in the work you do, whether it’s paid or volunteer. It’s easier to feel fulfilled when your tasks align with your strengths and interests.
• Celebrate your successes and the successes of your team. When you find joy in your work, you’ll not only perform better, but you’ll also help boost morale and contribute to a positive, productive work environment.