Supporting Our Teens Post-Pandemic: Leveraging EAPs for Mental Health
By Taylor Ebben, Employee Benefits Client Manager
As we reach the five-year mark since the world came to a standstill due to the pandemic, I've been reflecting on how it reshaped the mental health landscape, especially for our youth. It’s not much of a surprise that we saw a noticeable surge in mental health concerns when the pandemic hit us in 2020. According to the CDC, more than a third of high school students reported experiencing poor mental health during the pandemic, with 44% feeling persistently sad or hopeless1. School closures, social distancing, and the shift to online learning disrupted their daily routines and support systems. The lack of in-person interactions with peers and teachers removed critical sources of emotional support, leaving many feeling isolated and overwhelmed. However, this challenging period also highlighted the importance of mental health and the need for robust support systems, paving the way for greater awareness and action.
How Can We Leverage EAPs?
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) have seen significant growth since the onset of the pandemic. In response to the increased need for mental health support, 57.1% of employers ramped up communication about their EAP offerings. Additionally, 25.4% of employers expanded their EAP programs to include services such as bereavement counseling.2
Here are some ways we can leverage EAPs:
- Promote Awareness: Ensure that employees are aware of the EAP services available. Regularly communicate the benefits and how to access them through newsletters, emails, and company meetings.
- Provide Family Support: Extend EAP services to cover employees' family members, including teenagers. This can include counseling for teens struggling with mental health issues, as well as resources for parents on how to support their children.
- Offer Virtual Counseling: With the rise of telehealth, many EAPs now offer virtual counseling sessions. This makes it easier for teens to access mental health support from the comfort of their homes3
- Provide Resources and Training: Offer workshops and resources on mental health topics, such as stress management, resilience building, and coping strategies. These can be beneficial for both employees and their families
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