Benefits Breakdown May

1 in 4 Workers Unaware of Mental Health Benefits. An annual survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 1 in 4 workers are unaware whether their employers offer mental health benefits, employee assistance programs, flexible work arrangements or sick days for mental health. Only half understand how to access these benefits through their employer-sponsored health insurance. NAMI found that, similar to last year’s findings, only about a fifth of employees have received training on mental health conditions or symptoms, despite more than three-quarters expressing interest in learning about mental health benefits and receiving general education about mental health. Furthermore, this report demonstrates that stigma and judgment surrounding mental health persist in many workplaces. NAMI data shows that more than half of employees are comfortable discussing their mental health with a close friend or manager, while only 39% would feel comfortable discussing their mental health with HR.