Most employers are taking some form of action to improve mental health benefits for employers, though fewer are adding benefits for substance use disorder, according to Mercer's "Health and Benefit Strategies for 2024" report.
The report, published Nov. 17, is based on a survey of 1,917 public and private employers.
Around two-thirds of employers surveyed said job-related stress and depression and anxiety among employees were a concern, while around a third said alcohol use among employees is a concern.
Seven in 10 employers have expanded their employee assistance programs in the past three years, according to Mercer's survey, and 42% have added a supplemental network for virtual or in-person behavioral health providers.
Relatively few employers have taken actions to address substance use among employees beyond awareness campaigns, the consulting group wrote in the report. One in 5 employers said they cover medication-assisted treatment for opioid-use disorder.
Read Mercer's full report here.