Do First Responders Understand Their Mental Health Benefits?

Posted on by armorupnow

By Safe Call Now Admin Staff

The answer to that question is “probably not.”  About half of all employees don’t understand their benefits.  When you think about it, that’s not really all that’s surprising. Let’s call it like it is…  our healthcare system is overly complex.  Based on the Global Brand Simplicity Index, healthcare ranks last (yes, LAST) in simplicity across 25 different industries and the large healthcare insurance companies hold three of the bottom five spots.  Yikes!

This is why it’s so important to not only have a benefits communication strategy, but also an understandable one!  When we boil it down, employee engagement is the most critical part for employees to understand their benefits.  We need to help simplify everything for the employee.  We can simplify that for you at Safe Call Now.

And just to address the elephant in the room, we understand… getting engagement on healthcare topics and benefits can be incredibly challenging.  In fact, the top challenges with benefits communications are:

  • 80% of participants don’t open/read materials.
  • 49% of participants don’t understand materials.
  • 31% of participants don’t perceive value in their benefits.

It’s really an uphill battle. So, what can you do?  Contact Shannon Clairemont or Vanessa Stapleton below to better understand and verify your mental healthcare benefits.  Your life may depend upon it.

If you, someone you love or someone you know needs help, call:

Safe Call Now:  24 Hour Confidential Hotline:  206-459-3020

For more information on the First Responders program:  Click here

Or call Shannon Clairemont at 661-466-6352 or Vanessa Stapleton at 304-651-3008

Published by armorupnow

Sean Riley is the Founder and President of Safe Call Now, a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide. Safe Call Now was started in 2009 after legislation was passed guaranteeing confidentiality nationwide for all who call the Safe Call Now crisis line that is staffed by current and former first responders. Sean played baseball for San Diego State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration. He started his law enforcement career as a San Diego County Deputy Sheriff in 1987 and later relocated to Washington State in 1990. Sean spent over 16 years with the Kirkland Police Department. His many accomplishments include being a member of the International Homicide Investigator's Association, Homicide and Sexual Assault Detective, Interview and Interrogation Specialist, D.A.R.E. Officer, Gang Officer and Certified Training Officer. Riley is also credited with solving one of the first ever elder abuse homicide cases in the nation. Sean's prominent career in law enforcement ended in 2005 when he could no longer hide his "secret" behind the badge. Sean threw away his almost 20-year stellar police career due to alcohol and drug addiction and was headed towards suicide to become just another unknown statistic. In addition to attending college for substance abuse counseling, Sean worked as a supervisor at a local treatment center where he witnessed many public safety employees coming in and out of treatment. Riley decided to do something about it. From his own experience, he knew that first responders wanted to come forward to help, but due to the stigma attached, they would not. Admitting to a substance abuse or mental health problem is perceived as a sign of weakness and could result in the termination from a noble career. By creating a safe and confidential place to reach out for help, first responders are now coming forward in droves from around the nation to better their lives, better their families and better their careers. Recognized as a dynamic national keynote speaker, Sean travels throughout the country to share his inspirational story. Coupled with cutting edge, interactive training, Riley hits those once thought of as "taboo" or "controversial" topics head-on. "Safe Call Now provides education, healthy alternatives, resources and a complete continuum of care to save lives and put families back together. Through a collaborative effort, Safe Call Now has discovered when you provide an opportunity for an individual to get their life and their family back, you get one great employee back out serving the public." - Sean Riley, Founder/President