At Maven, mental health is core to our mission to empower women and families to take care and take on the world. For World Mental Health Day marked by the World Health Organization on October 10th, join us in helping to raise awareness, break stigmas, and improve access to compassionate, convenient mental health care that meets you where you are. Check in with yourself and with friends, family, neighbors, employees, and colleagues—today and more frequently.

Here are five (of many) reasons we have mental health at the center of our family benefits solutions.

1. Individuals want and need access to better, more convenient mental health care.

With more people speaking openly about mental health issues like anxiety and depression—important dialogue that we hope will only continue—more companies are recognizing the importance of providing access to mental health without out-of-pocket costs. 1 in 4 employees want more mental health support from their employer (according to the 2019 Business Group/Optum Well-being Survey).

2. When it comes to navigating any path to parenthood, mental health needs are especially critical—and often go untreated.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are extremely common, affecting 1 in 7 women worldwide. According to the Seleni Institute, as many as 20% of new mothers in the United States suffer from anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or (more rarely) postpartum psychosis, either during or after pregnancy. And data shows that between 5-10% of new fathers experience depression.

But while these are extremely common, in a national survey that Maven conducted of 700 new mothers, 54% said that they were never even given the chance to discuss any mental health issues, as they were not screened during pre- and postnatal care. Through Maven, checking in on mental health is an important piece of care at any point in an individual’s journey—and we follow-through from screening to treatment. Our providers and Care Advocates ensure there is continuity of care on our platform so that a member has appointments with mental health providers when they need them.

3. Community matters: When it comes to mental health support, no one should ever feel alone.

Emotional support is often left out of healthcare provided to individuals on unique paths to parenthood which is why community is a key component of our programs that fill gaps in any path to parenthood—all on one platform. For instance, members share stories and connect with others who have experienced a miscarriage or are struggling through fertility treatments. And mental health support and community forums can make a difference for couples who are navigating adoption, especially as they experience long periods of waiting and uncertainty.

4. On-demand, virtual care breaks barriers to access.

Video and chat appointments with mental health providers any time, from the privacy of your own home or wherever you are, makes a huge difference when it comes to mental health—in terms of lowering costs, improving access, and saving time. Plus, more individuals are using virtual care generally: 74% of millennials prefer to see a doctor virtually whenever possible. We see this on Maven, as well: 1 in 3 members seek mental health support through our virtual clinic.

5. Maven’s model of coordinated, end-to-end care drives healthier outcomes and lowers costs.

Far too often in the traditional healthcare system, care delivery is fragmented and individuals’ holistic health and well-being aren’t addressed in a coordinated way. Maven is filling these gaps for women and families: our care delivery model not only improves outcomes for individuals, but also benefits employers, including through lower costs and improved employee productivity and satisfaction.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that lost productivity due to depression costs American companies $44 billion annually. And when it comes to women and families, seeing mental health specialists in pregnancy or postpartum can directly impact costs: women who experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are more likely to deliver preterm or by C-section (which carry significantly higher costs), and women who experience postpartum depression, despite being quite common, incur 90% higher healthcare costs than those who don’t.

Words of wisdom from a Maven Mental Health Provider

As you take a moment to reflect on what World Mental Health Day means for you, we’ll leave you with one final thought: a message from Maven Mental Health Provider Mercedes Samudio to be intentional with your self-care more regularly—words many of us may need to hear.

"Women take on a lot of roles. We’re wives. We’re moms. We’re working. If you’re depleted in your career, take some time off. Actually schedule some vacation. If you’re a mom and you’re depleted, is there a way to pull in a nanny or home cook for a few days? Be intentional in your self-care."

“Be intentional in your self-care.”

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