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Traditional on-site employee health and wellness programs create barriers to change. Here’s how to fix it. Remote and hybrid work models, at least in some industries, are here for good. Employers and workers now asking what comes next for workplace health and wellness offerings? For workplaces that have made the hybrid work model permanent, in-person fitness classes and employee wellness programs have often been eliminated as well. And while some employee programs moved into the virtual world, new barriers to health and wellness have been created. So, is there a way to overcome these newfound hurdles to better health? The short answer is yes. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of maintaining health and wellness programs for remote and hybrid employees, and how they produce positive results for companies and individuals alike. Employer sponsored wellness programs can be a first line of defense With employees holding on to the new liberties offered by remote and hybrid work models, companies are turning to digital/hybrid wellness and coaching options aimed at helping individuals maintain healthy habits and make lasting, impactful lifestyle changes. Such programs can provide a critical lifeline for workers. An employee’s health and wellness can impact every aspect of their life, and not just the personal elements and their relationships. If an employee is struggling with inactivity, poor diet, stress, inadequate sleep, addictions, as well as any associated health risks such as depression and anxiety, their work, productivity, attendance and even company morale can be negatively impacted. In fact,

Digital coaching solutions can help employers make lasting changes in their workplaces and support employees dealing with substance use. Hopeless. It’s how many people feel when caught in the cycle of substance use. The struggle is weighty and ongoing as people’s brains have been trained to encourage them to keep using the substance. The cycle can often feel impossible to break. However, while difficult to achieve, lasting change can be made. One in seven people in the United States are projected to struggle with substance use disorder at some point in their lifetime, according to a report from the surgeon general. And, while 75% of people suffering from substance use disorder are part of the workforce, most employers are wholly unaware of their workers’ private struggles and the impacts such issues can have on all their employees and workplaces. So, what can employers do to help even when they don’t know employees are struggling? They can offer support and resources to employees and help break down barriers to treatment, giving workers an opportunity to make long-term change. Below, we explore the pandemic’s effect on substance use, the impact substance use has on workplaces and how employers can support their employees. Pandemic propels increased drug and alcohol use According to a recent survey, the pandemic has resulted in notable increases in workers’ substance use issues across all generations and industries. Some one-third of responding workers who reportedly struggle with substance use issues stated that their work has suffered more since the

Patients need continuity of care, including coaching, to help them maintain progress and success. Time to read: 3 minutes By Clark Lagemann Patient dropout in behavioral health programs is a common occurrence. In order to make meaningful and long-lasting change, providers need to understand the unique challenges program participants face. Developing a personalized, hybrid coaching program can help strengthen engagement and success. In Clark Lagemann’s latest article in Behavioral Health Executive, he explores how a hybrid approach can help solve the patient engagement problem in behavioral health, including the benefits of in-person and virtual patient engagement programs and how they can drive greater access to care and increased long-term recovery for substance use disorders. Click here to read the full article.   For contributed media inquiries, contact: Kristin Hege kristin@conveycommsagency.com 480-540-6496

Listen to the Tech Talks Daily Podcast with Neil C. Hughes featuring Clark Lagemann, Co-CEO of Avidon Health. Time to listen: 17 minutes – Tech Talks Daily Podcast In this episode: Clark Lagemann joins Neil C. Hughes on the Tech Talks Daily Podcast to discuss how technology can help employees who are struggling with substance abuse. According to a recent survey, the pandemic has exacerbated substance use for employees. Among workers struggling with addiction or substance abuse issues, more than one-third say it has affected their work more since the pandemic began. Unfortunately, many employees are afraid to say they need help. They may end up leaving the workforce altogether or suffer in silence as their work deteriorates–and they may experience safety risks if their job entails driving or using heavy machinery. So what can employers and companies do to help if they don’t know their employee is struggling? Fortunately, technology can make a difference for individuals needing to make a change and Avidon Health takes a different approach to online coaching through a hybrid approach. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts.

It’s important for employees to know that they are not alone. Time to read: 3 minutes By Clark Lagemann One in seven Americans will face a substance use disorder in their lifetime. And according to a recent survey, the pandemic has exacerbated substance use for employees. Among workers struggling with addiction or substance abuse issues, more than one-third say it has affected their work more since the pandemic began. So what can employers do to help if they don’t know their employee is struggling? Synopsis: Among workers struggling with addiction or substance abuse issues, more than one-third say it has affected their work more since the pandemic began. Many employees are afraid to say they need help. Substance use in the workplace results in absenteeism, lost productivity, and additional healthcare expenses. Personal costs to individual employees include missed work resulting in lost wages among all the other health and lifestyle side effects of substance use. Click here to read the full article.   For contributed media inquiries, contact: Kristin Hege kristin@conveycommsagency.com 480-540-6496