Access, Personalization and Innovation: Looking Back on 2022 and Ahead to 2023
As we dive headfirst into the new year, we want to take a brief moment to look back at the new features and enhancements that improved access to care and personalized the user experience for EAP users in the last twelve months. We also want to look forward to innovations that will drive more engagement and expand the footprint of care in 2023.
2022 Highlights
Real-Time Scheduling
This feature, which we rolled out in 2022 on CuraLinc’s desktop and mobile platforms, delivers frictionless support by allowing participants to easily schedule evidence-based care with a counselor or coach in as little as 24 hours. Users can select a provider who meets their specific needs and preferences, such as gender, race, language, licensure and specialty.
Good to Know: This feature appeals to participants who simply want to choose a provider, look within their calendar and schedule care.
Digital Group Support
2022 was the first full year for CuraLinc’s digital group support platform, Virtual Support Connect (VSC). VSC, available on CuraLinc's desktop and mobile platform, provides moderated small-group sessions on a variety of topics, including sleep fitness, mindfulness, burnout prevention and stress management. VSC extends the range of support by appealing to users who may not have otherwise sought care within the program.
Good to Know: Nearly 90% of VSC participants in 2022 had not previously accessed clinical resources, highlighting the need for multiple care options to meet individual preferences.
CuraLinc for Teens
Even before the pandemic, the mental health crisis for children and adolescents was spiraling out of control. With this in mind, CuraLinc expanded programming in 2022 for young dependents of our covered employees and members (with parental consent, of course). CuraLinc’s model offers a wide array of clinical and sub-clinical resources that are designed specifically for young people, including:
In-person and video counseling with clinicians specializing in treating children and adolescents
Text therapy to address youth-specific concerns related to body image, bullying and self-esteem
Sub-clinical coaching to proactively address emotional fitness, mindfulness, sleep health and meditation
Distinct promotional toolkit
Good to Know: Last year, EAP utilization from children and adolescents made up over 10% of all new cases.
Enhanced Promotional Toolkit
CuraLinc’s enhanced promotional toolkit provides access to on-demand client- and partner-specific communications in multiple languages to support positive and consistent messaging for the EAP. The toolkit includes program overview collateral and pieces that promote specific elements of the EAP, such as CuraLinc’s digital mental health navigator, dCBT, legal consultation or text therapy.
Good to Know: You can find the enhanced toolkit at MyCommsToolkit.com.
Alternate (Navigator-First) Digital Design
For clients that prefer to position CuraLinc’s Mental Health Navigator as the ‘front door’ of their digital user experience, CuraLinc released a secondary design option for the program’s web and mobile platform.
Mental Health Navigator, which is woven into the plan design for every CuraLinc client, leverages a clinically validated assessment to guide participants to personalized mental health support. After completing the short survey, users receive an Emotional Fitness Report that includes a risk analysis, recommendations and a call to action to schedule therapy or coaching — or to access a curated suite of digital mental health resources.
Good to Know: This option can be toggled ‘on’ at a client’s convenience. To check out a live demo, contact your CuraLinc representative.
Coming in 2023
Personalized Communications (January)
Accessing mental health care is a highly personal experience. No two people experience concerns like depression, stress or anxiety for the same reason or in the same way. As such, how mental health programs are communicated must also be individualized.
Our platform makes it possible to learn more about the preferences and risks of our users and curate messages to make the program meaningful to each individual. While group-level promotion has always been a vital element of an EAP engagement strategy, these new technology-enabled personalized communications will drive higher awareness and engagement through normalizing and encouraging messages that connect members to resources and services to meet their specific needs.
Good to Know: For employees using the program’s clinically-validated digital mental health navigation tool, ongoing communications will be tailored to suit their risk profile.
Employee Recognition Platform (January)
Attracting and retaining talent is one of the greatest challenges faced by employers today. Employees who feel valued and appreciated for their contributions are more likely to stay at their company.
CuraLinc's new employee recognition platform will keep employees connected with a personalized feed of mental wellbeing content that maps to their interests, as well as peer-driven social boosts to keep them engaged within the employer's culture.
In addition to being another avenue for CuraLinc to promote the availability and value of the EAP, employees (and HR or benefits) can also post digital messages to recognize coworkers for their demonstrated teamwork, collaboration and leadership or celebrate team or individual achievements.
Good to Know: Employee recognition will be a no-cost opt-in feature for all EAP clients. To learn more or to add this to your program, contact your CuraLinc client relationship manager.
Digital Addiction Treatment (September)
Fueled by the pandemic, the number of Americans with substance use disorders continues to rise. Many of those dealing with addiction are employed, yet only 10% of Americans receive treatment. This Summer, CuraLinc will introduce a new feature to heighten the advocacy and support we provide to individuals with substance use disorders across the spectrum of severity. Digital Addiction Treatment will further solidify CuraLinc’s EAP as the go-to resource when they or a family member are struggling with addiction.
Clinical assessment. All participants will have immediate access to a clinically-validated assessment tool that considers their risks and preferences.
Personalized action plan. Assessment results generate a personalized action plan offering insights, information and resources specific to their needs.
Clinical support. An Addiction Care Coach (a licensed and experienced master’s level clinician) will work with the participant to provide guidance and motivation and connect them to a digital, virtual or in-person treatment program.
This new feature will deliver a holistic and integrated employee experience by leveraging all resources available through the EAP, the employer’s health and wellness programs and the community.
Good to Know: Digital Addiction Treatment will be included in every EAP model at no cost to the client or the participant.
Supervisor Connect (October)
Supervisors play a critical role in engaging and retaining employees. As the saying goes, "People leave managers, not companies.” Supervisor Connect will ensure supervisors are equipped with the essential skills to develop and manage high-performing teams. Launching this Fall, Supervisor Connect leverages the depth and breadth of EAP resources to strengthen supervisor skills and confidence in managing people, resulting in higher retention rates, engagement and organizational performance.
Online assessment. A concise assessment tool measures strengths and opportunities for maximizing the supervisor’s potential as a people manager.
Outcomes-driven content. Through a series of interactive and engaging courses, CuraLinc will take supervisors on a journey to gain valuable skills that will enhance their confidence and ability to address everyday workplace situations.
Leveraging experts and peers. Participants will be supported by experienced management consultants and peers to discuss real-world applications that benefit their team and their organization.
Good to Know: Supervisor Connect will be woven into CuraLinc’s management consultation services, providing an additional layer of support to supervisors who contact the program for guidance.
Coffee with CuraLinc
CuraLinc’s short-form webinar series, Coffee with CuraLinc, is evolving in 2023 to include more innovation- and trend-fueled sessions (plus a new podcast) with clients and industry experts, beginning on January 19. For more information, visit CoffeewithCuraLinc.com or subscribe to the podcast through Spotify or Apple.
“These solutions offer new opportunities and options for employees to access and obtain support in a way they choose. By leveraging human and digital connections, we’re providing more impactful ways to improve employee mental health. Stay tuned for more to come in the new year!”