Why Virtual Mental Health Belongs in Every Benefits Discussion

Let’s be real — mental health isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s a top priority for employees and a growing challenge for employers. According to recent data, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences a mental illness each year, and that number is even higher among working populations.

If you’re a benefits broker or consultant, this is your moment to lead with real solutions.

One of the most effective ways to support your clients?  Virtual mental health care. It’s convenient, accessible, cost-effective — and employees actually use it.

Why Virtual Mental Health Works

Virtual care removes the biggest barriers to mental health support such as long wait times, geographic limits, and stigma. With just a few taps on a laptop or mobile device or even a call, employees can connect with licensed therapists and counselors on their own time, in their own space.

It’s care that meets people where they are.

The value for your clients?

• Lower absenteeism and burnout
• Higher employee satisfaction
• More productive teams
• Tangible ROI on benefits spend

And because it’s easier to access, employees are more likely to actually use it.

How to Position Mental Health as a Differentiator

Here’s the truth: Every benefits professional can talk about cost and coverage. But if you want to stand out, start the conversation around mental health.

To move beyond surface-level benefits talk, lead with thoughtful questions that uncover real needs. Ask your clients:

• What signs of stress or burnout are you seeing across your workforce?
• How confident are you that employees know what mental health support is available, and how to access it?
• What kind of engagement would you consider a win? How close are you to that goal today?
• If you could increase mental health utilization 5x, how would that impact absenteeism, productivity, or retention?
• Do your current benefits support early intervention—or only show up when things get serious?

When you bring virtual mental health to the table, you’re solving a real problem.

What Makes First Stop Health Different?

First Stop Health delivers virtual, short-term mental health care that employees actually use — and employers trust.

We go beyond the basics. Our solution is built for speed, simplicity, and real engagement. Here’s what makes us different:

• Fast access to licensed therapists, often in just a few days
• Confidential talk therapy, delivered through secure video
• Flexible scheduling, without the long waitlists typical of traditional care
• No out-of-pocket costs for employees
• National coverage with care in all 50 states
• Care matching based on employee needs and preferences
• Industry-leading engagement and satisfaction, driven by a human-centered approach.

Our virtual Mental Health Care is available is a standalone benefit that integrates seamlessly with our Primary Care and Health Coaching offerings — supporting whole-person care.

And for brokers and consultants? You get a responsive partner, sales enablement tools, and hands-on support through every stage of the client lifecycle.

A Better Way to Support Clients and Grow Your Book

Virtual mental health isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore. It’s what today’s employees expect, and what tomorrow’s clients will demand. Benefits consultants who lead with this kind of value retain, and win more business.

Learn how virtual mental health can help you grow.