Making the Most of Mental Health Coverage in the Workplace

Normalize care. Promote access. That’s how mental health coverage becomes real support.

In recent years, more SMEs have begun adding mental health support to their employee benefits—an important and timely move. But having coverage is just the first step. To truly make an impact, businesses must promote awareness, encourage use, and normalize mental health conversations in the workplace.

Your team can’t benefit from what they don’t understand or feel safe to use.

Why Mental Health Coverage Often Goes Unused

Despite the rise in awareness, mental health services still face barriers:

✔ Stigma—Fear of judgment or being perceived as weak
✔ Lack of awareness—Employees don’t know what’s included in their plan
✔ Access issues—Unclear processes for booking a session or knowing who to talk to
✔ Cultural hesitations—Many Filipinos still prioritize physical health over emotional well-being

For HR teams, bridging these gaps is essential to making mental health care a functional benefit—not just a checkbox.

How SMEs Can Encourage Mental Wellness Utilization

1. Communicate Clearly and Often

• Regularly remind employees (via email, chat, bulletin boards) that mental health consults are available and confidential

• Clarify how to access providers through platforms like Doctor Anywhere

2. Normalize Mental Health Language

• Avoid vague phrases like “take care of your well-being”—say “Talk to a licensed counselor if you’re feeling overwhelmed”

• Use inclusive, supportive language in all wellness campaigns

3. Train Managers as Mental Health Allies

• Equip team leaders with tools to recognize signs of burnout, anxiety, or disengagement

• Encourage one-on-one check-ins and a culture of open dialogue

4. Offer Wellness Webinars or Safe Spaces

• Host short talks on stress management, boundaries, or emotional health

• Create online or in-person spaces where employees can reflect or recharge

5. Lead by Example

• When leaders and HR openly use or talk about mental health services, employees are more likely to follow

What This Looks Like in Practice

A startup in Quezon City added mental health coverage via Purple Cow and ran a simple awareness campaign. Results within three months:

✅ 40% increase in employees booking mental health consults
✅ Decreased short-term sick leave requests
✅ Higher engagement scores in quarterly surveys

Empower Your Team with Real Mental Health Support

Add mental health support through Purple Cow’s flexible add-ons and create a workplace where emotional wellness is understood, respected, and encouraged.