At YourCoach, we’re on the frontlines of the Health Coaching Revolution, often pioneering holistic behavioral change with health coaches at the helm. Our Industry Partners, their employees, clients and members are often the first to know about these compelling developments through our health coaching services, delivered by validated and verified health coaches.
Today, we’re sharing one of the most exciting offerings in demand with our diverse roster of Industry Partners—supplemental mental health support (SMHS). Health coaching addresses a host of holistic health concerns, from reducing symptoms associated with chronic health conditions; helping with weight management, sleep and exercise; and, one of the most popular, ongoing mental health support through positive behavioral change.
Supporting optimal mental health is key to promoting overall physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. It’s core to shaping healthier, happier and more productive humans and it’s a key focus in any health coaching relationship—no matter what an individual might be looking to work on. So what does supplemental mental health support look like in practice? Take a read through today’s blog to learn more!
What is supplemental mental health support (SMHS)?
Unlike other health and care professionals, who might focus specifically on a given condition or symptom, health coaching takes a truly holistic, long-term approach. This means every single health coach recognizes mental health is deeply intertwined with our health goals—including the way we approach these goals; the way we value them; and the underlying conditions that might inspire them. Coaches take a client-led approach to help us unpack how to best acknowledge and address health focus areas, including an emphasis on supporting better mental health in a non-clinical way, through positive lifestyle changes.
For example, employees might be looking to achieve a better work-life balance. Firstly, health coaches help employees understand why this is a key focus for them. How is this taking a toll on their mental health and how would achieving more balance help improve that? Health coaches would unpack all the things in that employee’s life that are making balancing work and personal time difficult—is this a lack of boundaries at work or at home, a need for better time management or more support? They’ll then work together to create a plan–and track progress–for achieving more of what they need, improving mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing as well as the ways they show up to work and for their teams.
Not only that, but health coaching provides accountability, encouragement and a knowledgeable support system, all elements that are critical to achieving more optimal mental health. At its core, health coaching provides non-clinical, supplemental mental health support that’s daily, goal-specific but also generalized, and uniquely tailored to that individual.
Why should every employer consider providing SMHS to employees?
The way the world is approaching mental health support as it stands is just not working. Every year, nearly one in five adults in the U.S. experiences a mental illness. There’s never been a more necessary time for the Health Coaching Revolution. The latest data has already proven health coaches are key to better outcomes. A recent study on nearly 1,500 participants in the U.S. suffering from moderate levels of anxiety and depression showed a marked decrease in symptoms when working with a mental health coach. Our Mental Health and Employee Health Deep Dives compile more of these transformative results.
Non-clinical, supplemental mental health support serves a unique function for employees that runs in complement to their existing health and care plan (this is why it’s referred to as non-clinical—because it’s not led by a clinician). We always say, health coaching enacts health change where it really counts, beyond the doctor’s office. Coaches are there for daily questions via chat and meet with employees regularly via virtual, live sessions to follow up on progress, pivot where necessary and even suggest when mental or physical health conditions need to be escalated to patient care teams. If you’re a progressive employer who wants to shape a workforce that’s healthier, happier and more present and more productive, then you need to be providing supplemental mental health support through health coaching.
How can YourCoach help?
Here at YourCoach, we validate every single health coach working with our Industry Partners, ensuring their employees, clients and members receive the highest-quality supplemental mental health support that’s powered by the latest science-backed methodologies.
We’ve seen the benefits of these partnerships firsthand—including for one of the world’s largest employers—and have witnessed employees transform into their best selves both at work and at home. If you’re a company looking to learn more about how we partner with organizations to deliver non-clinical supplemental mental health support through health coaching, contact us at team@yourcoach.health