Here’s a look at Headspace’s mental health resources—now available free of charge for employers during the pandemic.
What it is: Headspace for Work tools and resources
Headspace, an online healthcare company that focuses on meditation, is sharing free Headspace for Work tools and resources—previously made available to customers—to “address teams and businesses all around the world who are being affected by the growing public health crisis,” the company says. Headspace is sharing curated mindfulness content, resources and a tailored toolkit. The new collection of meditations and exercises, available to all employees and employers for free, “is designed to help us weather the storm together,” the company says.
Information can be found here.
Why it’s helpful: Mindfulness is a helpful way “to step away from the anxious inner chatter we might feel as a result of stressful situations,” says Dr. Megan Jones Bell, chief science officer at Headspace.
Using Headspace’s tools can reduce employee stress, the company contends. She says Headspace sees reductions in stress following use of Headspace ranging from 11% to 14% following 10 days to 32% following 30 days. And a study conducted at Google and Roche found that, after using Headspace, employees had a 46% reduction in depression symptoms and a 31% reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Related: Starbucks employees turn to Headspace app to ease COVID stress
Other insights: Mental health is an area of concern for employers—especially during the coronavirus pandemic. That’s because more employees report feeling worried, anxious, financially stressed and depressed in today’s uncertain environment. Employers are adding resources and benefits programs in a rush to help. Many industry insiders say they hope companies will continue to provide resources that address mental health concerns—and areas like mindfulness—post-pandemic.
Related: Is COVID-19 a turning point for workplace mental health?
“Our hope is that, as we come out of this, there will be a growing willingness to look at mindfulness not only as a reactionary tool but as a preventative tool—so when things get difficult in the future, we have the skills we need,” Jones Bell says.
For more free benefits resources, check out this list from HRE.