Despite the agency conducting regular internal events and one-on-ones with employees, we recognized the need to involve professional psychotherapists to provide qualified assistance to our employees. No matter how much we tried to support our employees, we lack the professional competence to do this properly, and our employees’ mental state is important to us. Therefore, the Mental Care program became the answer to this need, offering access to professional psychological support.
How does the program work?
newage. agency compensates psychotherapy sessions. It’s important to note that participation in the program is entirely voluntary — employees seek help only when they feel the need.
Since we understand that our employees may have their own preconceptions about psychotherapy, we conduct onboarding sessions with our contractor. These sessions are held to facilitate the start of work with a psychotherapist, where specialists answer common questions: how to choose “your” therapist, what to expect from therapy, how to understand if therapy is effective.
Integration with “Turbota” Chatbot
The Mental Care program is integrated with the corporate chatbot “Турbotа,” which helps monitor employees’ emotional state. Through the bot, employees can briefly respond about their condition, share problems related to work processes, or request a conversation with a psychotherapist.
We updated our TurBOTa so that employees don’t forget about our Mental Care program. This was handled by our Data Analyst, Dmytro Shylkin, who also developed the Connor bot, which you can read about in the article “Process Automation at newage. with the Help of Chat Assistant Connor“
Monitoring and Development
The company regularly tracks the program’s effectiveness by analyzing:
- employee engagement level;
- typical requests (while maintaining confidentiality);
- number of new users monthly;
- session attendance dynamics;
- relevant training topics.
Based on the collected data, quarterly Mental Care thematic training sessions are conducted. Sessions on stress management and professional burnout prevention have already been held, and future training topics are formed according to the team’s current needs. This approach allows not only providing individual support but also addressing common challenges at the collective level.
Implementation Challenges
The program launch came with certain challenges. Initially, employees were cautious about the new initiative, concerned about confidentiality and lacking previous experience with psychotherapists. We needed time to convey the program’s value and build trust. My personal example and our CEO’s example played an important role in this, as we actively participated in the program. And, it seems, for the first three months, only we two used the Mental Care function, but this changed over time)
Today, Mental Care is an integral part of newage.’s corporate culture, demonstrating that caring for employees’ mental health is not just a trend but a necessary component of modern business.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Mental Care Program
What is the Mental Care program?
Mental Care is a corporate psychological support program that provides employees with access to professional psychotherapists. Its goal is to help employees take care of their mental health and receive qualified support when they need it.
Is participation in the Mental Care program mandatory?
No. Participation in the program is completely voluntary. Each employee decides whether they want to consult a psychotherapist based on their individual needs and readiness.
How does the company help employees start working with a psychotherapist?
In addition to covering the cost of consultations, the company organizes introductory sessions where specialists explain how to choose a psychotherapist, what to expect from therapy, and how to understand whether it is working effectively.
How does the chatbot help support employees’ mental health?
The corporate chatbot allows employees to regularly assess their emotional well-being, report work-related difficulties, and quickly seek psychological support when needed.
Why should businesses invest in mental health support programs?
Such programs can help identify problems early, reduce the risk of professional burnout, support employee well-being, and foster a healthier corporate culture where employees feel more supported and engaged.