Rethinking Mental Health Investment: From Access to Impact

More than five years ago, I wrote about how virtual care could help fill gaps in mental health support. A lot has changed since then; telemedicine has moved from the sidelines to the mainstream. And yet, the reality for employees hasn’t changed: they’re still struggling, and many employer solutions fall short of meeting them where it matters.

Despite record levels of investment in wellness and mental health programs, employers are still facing growing claims and rising rates of absenteeism, disability and burnout. That’s why I’m revisiting this topic — and why this year needs to be the year we rethink defining and delivering mental health care at work.

The Investment/Outcome Paradox

When the pandemic hit, many employers did the right thing: they responded quickly and generously by boosting mental health benefits. But since then, mental health-related claims have continued to climb; GreenShield data notes that mental health claims have risen 132% since the pandemic.

We don’t have to look far to realize that throwing more money at healthcare problems rarely drives better outcomes, and the mental health crisis is no exception. Yet, this mismatch between growing investment and rising costs suggests that we’re not facing a funding gap, but a model gap. Many of today’s solutions are checking the “access” box without delivering meaningful impact. In other words, they provide coverage, but not care. They make help possible, but not always easy to start — or to stick with.

If we want to build more resilient teams and thriving businesses, we need a better approach: one that meets people where they are and supports them over time.

A New Path Forward: Digital Therapeutics

Software now powers a large part of the modern world. It should then be no surprise that it can also play an important role in the treatment of chronic diseases, including mental health, and that it can potentially improve the standard of care. Some of the biggest barriers to effective mental health treatment are limited access to a primary care provider who can help guide the first steps of a patient’s journey, cost and patients’ adherence to treatment. Our Proactive Care Report notes that 50% of Canadians are delaying care for their physical and mental health concerns, and many note that lack of access to providers and long wait times are a serious deterrent to seeking out care.

New models of care are emerging that can reshape how we support mental health at scale. One of the most promising? Digital therapeutics — software-driven, evidence-based interventions that help people manage or treat medical conditions like anxiety, depression and stress on their own terms and at their own pace. 

Unlike traditional approaches that rely solely on limited provider availability, digital approaches are flexible and can be designed to be:

• Scalable and accessible 24/7
• Cost-effective
• Supportive of better adherence and outcomes

A Personal Story of Real Access

How do I know about the mismatch between availability and usability? Just like everyone else who cares deeply about their work, I periodically experience workplace-related stress. And just like everyone else who is reading this article, I’m well aware of the mental health crisis by the numbers. I didn’t want to become part of the stats, so I sought to adopt healthy habits (in addition to exercise, a good night’s sleep and nurturing healthy relationships) that fostered good mental health.

In speaking with a primary care provider, I determined that counselling was the right place to start, and so I began there. I made use of the virtual therapy available through our benefits, and after two great sessions, I found that I didn’t need intensive support — but I did want to build habits that would help me feel well, every day.

That’s when I turned to Headspace, one of Maple’s partners available on the platform.

What I found wasn’t just meditation. It was a full-spectrum platform built around real life: content for sleep, stress, movement and CBT-based exercises that helped me apply what I learned in therapy to my daily routine. It was care that didn’t wait for a crisis. It was accessible, consistent and surprisingly impactful.

I’m now on a 150-day streak, with over 2,600 minutes logged. More importantly, I feel better—more focused at work, more present at home. And I’m not alone: studies show Headspace users experience significant improvements in mental health symptoms, and it’s been used by over 100 million people worldwide.

I couldn’t help but get excited sharing my experience with Headspace in this article because it showcases that, unlike traditional means of providing mental health care, access is immediate and not constrained by the supply of providers — it’s preventative, it’s ongoing and the patient journey is designed to encourage adherence. 

At Maple, we’ve seen firsthand how these tools can play a powerful role in care. That’s why we think Headspace is a great partner as one of the most evidence-backed mental health platforms in the world. It’s become a core part of how we support our own teams.

Why It Matters for Employers

Employees continue to live through a mental health crisis, and the truth is, it’s far from over unless we tackle the issues with innovation. The demand for mental health care is outpacing the supply, and the only way to address the rising need for treatment is to explore treatment options that are financially feasible at scale and deliver a return on investment.

Mental health challenges don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and the solutions we offer shouldn’t either. Digital tools like Headspace don’t replace therapy or crisis support, but they bridge the gap between moments of care, helping employees stay well before things spiral.

It’s time to move beyond checking the box and start investing in mental health solutions that truly deliver: for employees, for business outcomes, and for the future of work.

Disclosure: Maple is a wholesaler of Headspace.