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Employers failing to make the most of support for mental health within their Group Risk protection

Press release 10 October 2016

For World Mental Health Day, Group Risk Development (GRiD) wants to highlight the support that’s often available within Group Risk protection products which employers are failing to utilise to the detriment of their staff.

Such services can include support for mental health, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) mental health first aid training and fast-track access to counselling. Yet research* from GRiD shows that, on average, 50% of employers who offer Group Critical Illness, Group Income Protection and Group Life Assurance don’t make use of the support services that come as part of the contract.

These support services are usually provided at no extra cost. GRiD is urging employers to make sure they know what’s included within their Group Risk protection products, make sure this is communicated to their staff and to encourage their staff to use the help available. If employers aren't clear, they should check with their insurer or financial adviser.

Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD says, ‘Although generally we may be more willing to talk about mental health today, many employees are still reticent to talk to their employer about their own mental health needs. Group Risk protection policies can be a great support by providing direct access to specialists and practical help when it’s most needed, and of course, getting the most out of these services means using them as they are intended - every day. This, in turn, can reinforce the position of a business as a caring organisation as well as giving vital support to people when they most need it.’

Many employers and their staff may be aware of the financial support within Group Risk protection policies, but the added-value support services can be equally needed, and valued as highly. GRiD is encouraging employers to particularly communicate the mental health support that’s available to staff and to encourage its use.

-Ends –

For further information please contact:

Sharon Mason 
SMUK Marketing and PR
smason@smuk.org.uk 
Mob: 07747 611773
Land: 01252 843350

Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Mob: 07887 512508

 

Notes for editors

* Group Risk Annual Employer Research, conducted in September 2015 among 501 UK businesses with between 5 and 1,000 employees. Research was conducted by Lightspeed Research for Group Risk Development (GRiD).

About GRiD

Founded in 1998, Group Risk Development (GRiD) encourages awareness and uptake of corporate group protection benefits – income protection, group life insurance and critical illness cover – on behalf of its members which include insurers, reinsurers and intermediary businesses. Under the chairmanship of Lee Lovett, CEO, Ellipse, GRiD aims to enhance the industry’s profile among media and stakeholder groups. The Group provides a collective voice to Government and participates in industry wide initiatives such as the qualification in Group Risk launched jointly with the Chartered Insurance Institute. In May 2009, the Group appointed its first dedicated spokesperson, Katharine Moxham, to provide expert media comment on a full range of group risk issues.

www.grouprisk.org.uk

Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham

 

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