HEALTH
own mental health can also pay off in the long run. Training them in preventative and coping behavioural health techniques not only makes expat life more manageable, but also improves knowledge and attitudes towards mental health.
Importance of in-country support A growing number of businesses provide employee assistance programmes (EAP), to help staff who have made a move. These offer telephone support to workers facing all manner of concerns, from work-related stress and substance abuse to major life events like births and deaths. They can also assist by finding solutions to more mundane,
everyday stresses. Employees typically have 24-hour access to counsellors who can, if needed, make referrals to local professionals. One of the key advantages of this is that full confidentiality is maintained; employers never learn which workers have used the service or what concerns they shared, so individuals can open up about the issues they are facing without fear of stigma and judgment in the workplace. Virtual health, or vHealth, services are increasingly popular.
They enable businesses to offer their employees remote access to a wide range of health services, including counselling and behavioural coaching. vHealth can connect people with specialists in their home
country or abroad. This can help facilitate continuity of care in circumstances where individuals are already receiving treatment back home and want to keep it up while overseas. Also, it is a great way for employees to have someone to talk to
who understands their culture, speaks the same language, and is available at the time that is most convenient for them.
Working together The good news is that companies are not alone when it comes to tackling issues around mental health and equipping their employees for work and life abroad. Medical benefits providers and service partners can help by
giving both businesses and their employees the vital assistance they need, covering the critical stages both before and after a move. They can act as an important support network for individuals relocating for work, helping them to make the most of new opportunities while providing all-important peace of mind for their employer and protecting the employer’s investment.
Employee support – high touch or high tech?
John Kaye, MD of Cigna Global Health Benefits, Europe, says that, when it comes to supporting employees who are moving abroad, combining the latest technologies with the human element is the best approach. “We see technology as an enabler of increased and bespoke support rather than the key to providing that support,” explains Mr Kaye. “It can help us identify someone’s needs, but we then meet those needs through personal contact. “Our pre-assignment services are an example of how
technology and the personal touch often interact. Families complete an online questionnaire that provides detailed information about their health and well-being. Issues are then followed up in a meeting with a nurse, who provides advice on how to manage the issue while on assignment. We’ve found that people often stay in touch with the nurse throughout their time overseas, because a relationship of trust has been built.”
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