Jaclyn Wainwright is the cofounder and CEO of Aircare Health, a company that helps organizations provide proactive mental and behavioral healthcare to their employees. She emphasizes that employees’ health is critical to an organization’s productivity and profitability. Wainwright believes that addressing misconceptions about healthcare, particularly mental healthcare, is essential to ensuring that employees receive the treatment and support they need.
Holistic healthcare is not only a moral imperative for businesses but also a smart business decision. With healthcare costs rising rapidly each year and over half of the U.S. population receiving health insurance through their employer, prioritizing employees’ well-being can have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line. Aircare Health was founded with the goal of demonstrating that taking a proactive approach to mental and behavioral healthcare is not only beneficial for individuals but for businesses as well.
Despite the prevalence of mental health disorders, there is a significant gap between when symptoms first appear and when individuals seek treatment. This delay can have serious consequences for individuals’ well-being and productivity. To address this issue, it is essential to challenge the myths that hinder people from seeking help and to create a healthcare system that values mental health as much as physical health.
Four harmful healthcare myths are highlighted, including the reactive nature of the U.S. healthcare system, the lack of equal treatment for physical and mental health, the difficulty individuals face in seeking mental health help, and the misconception that healthcare is not a concern for business leaders. By debunking these myths and emphasizing the importance of mental and behavioral health in the workplace, organizations can create a healthier, more productive work environment.
Strategies for shattering healthcare myths include being proactive in addressing mental health in the workplace, challenging health insurance providers to explain their mental health resources, providing workforce training on mental health conditions, and focusing on outcomes rather than just access to mental health services. By prioritizing mental and behavioral health, organizations can not only improve employee well-being but also reap benefits in terms of reduced absenteeism, increased engagement, and improved customer satisfaction.
In conclusion, prioritizing mental and behavioral health is not only a win for employees and society but also for businesses. By shifting the focus from treating symptoms to addressing root causes and adopting a whole-person care model, organizations can challenge myths, demand better outcomes, and invest in proactive healthcare solutions that benefit everyone. By understanding the importance of mental health in the workplace and taking action to support employees, businesses can create a healthier, more productive work environment.