On May 1, Concordia Plan Services (CPS), the comprehensive benefits provider of the Lutheran Church of Missouri (LCMS), announced its goal to further support and enhance mental health care for church employees. announced new resources.
This resource is provided by Evernorth Health Services, a national mental health care network, and is called Confide Behavioral Health Navigator. it is:
- We offer expanded mental health solutions with an Enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers up to eight free sessions per year on each mental health topic (previously six sessions).
- We provide personal support designed to help workers overcome the most common barriers to accessing mental health care.
- For members who prefer self-service, we provide access to a digital portal with additional resources for evaluation and care recommendations.
- Allow members to work with care navigators who help them make the most effective use of the services provided.
- Provides 24/7 access to clinical assistance.and
- We provide resources not only to Concordia Health Plan members, but also to members’ entire households, including those who are not considered dependents. Because, as Dave Kuschel, assistant vice president for strategic communications at CPS, explained, “Each member’s mental health is important to the home because it impacts the entire family.” It is important.”
Kevin Herweck, CPS vice president and chief product officer, says that LCMS employees have historically accessed their current EAPs at twice the industry average rate, not because of an increased need, but because of “more easily accessible solutions.” “Because we can respond to people wherever they are,” he said. ” Still, Herweck said: “We want to further improve access rates. This enhanced EAP ensures that employees connect with a counselor within three days, whether virtually or in-person.”
There are 120,000 counselors in the Evernorth Confide network. Not all of them are Christian, but the search engine allows filtering so users can limit their search to Christian counselors. There is also a separate list listing only Lutheran Church counselors. Depending on the worker’s situation and counselor availability, services can be accessed by phone, in-person, or online.
Harweck points out that receiving care online has the added benefit of reducing the anxiety associated with actually going to counseling. Despite increased social attention to mental health in recent years, the stigma against seeking treatment remains, and by the time he receives treatment he has spent 10 to 12 years (known as the “silent decade”). period) Some people wait. May, historically known as Mental Health Awareness Month, is the perfect time to work to reduce that stigma by rolling out new resources and encouraging conversations that are often ignored.
Hope for a tired world
Kuchel said the strengthened EAP is the result of a concerted effort to connect with multiple stakeholders across the synod and gain input on how to best serve workers. An advisory committee comprised of mental health trained pastors, mental health professionals, and a geographically diverse group of ministry leaders also provided guidance. It stands to reason that healthy members of the church are better members of the church and more effective in carrying out the mission of the church. But Harveck said CPS wants to take care of its workers, not just for the church’s sake, but for the workers’ sake as well.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has seen increased levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. These trends are seen across the board in all sectors.”
Church employees are exposed to the same stressors as everyone else, but perhaps even more so because of the burdens they carry as church employees.
“CPS is committed to providing the most comprehensive programs possible to support the overall well-being of LCMS church employees and their families. We do this because our employees Because we care about them as individuals. But we also want them to be healthy so they can focus on preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to a hurting world.” Mr. Haveck said.
For more information For all the resources CPS provides to support the mental health of church employees, visit concordiaplans.org/mentalhealth. As such, Concordia Health Plan members and their households can register by visiting Evernorth Confide and registering through well.evernorth.com, by downloading the Evernorth mobile app, or by calling 866-726-5267 . A list of Lutheran counselors is available at concordiaplans.org/lutherancounselors.
Posted on May 3, 2024
