With employee stress and depression rates at historic highs and more than half of employees “quietly quitting,” employers are making mental health access a top priority this year. Today, we’re excited to announce that Calm has teamed up with Microsoft Teams to create a new standard for employee access to mental health support in the workplace. Calm already has an integration with Zoom Meetings, which launched last year.
“In the new world of hybrid work, employees need compelling tools that help them reduce stress, stay focused, and connect with each other,” said Ben Summers, director, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 Platform Marketing. “That’s why we’ve collaborated with Calm. Employees can now instantly access and share Calm focus and mindfulness content from within Microsoft Teams. For employers, it’s a simple way to reinforce their commitment to workforce mental health and foster a culture of well-being.”
What is Calm for Microsoft Teams?
Calm for Microsoft Teams enables employees to enjoy and engage with Calm content directly within the Teams meeting interface. While using Teams, employees can do all of the following:
- Access any of the 3,000+ sessions in the Calm content library, including Calm focus music, soundscapes, breathing exercises, mindfulness tools, and movement and wisdom exercises.
- Share Calm content with colleagues through chat threads or play Calm content at the start of a meeting (e.g., team meetings, town halls, employee resource group meetings, lunch & learns) to build resilience and community.
- Schedule reminders to take mental health breaks throughout the workday to reduce stress and anxiety, reset, refocus, and build resilience.
By giving employees easy access to Calm content through Teams, employers can help normalize daily mental health care and foster a more empathetic and caring culture. Employees are also likely to explore Calm content outside their workday, which will help them build mindfulness routines for better mental health.
Calm for Microsoft Teams is available to all Calm Business customers and Calm paid subscribers.
Employee mental health isn’t improving, despite employer efforts
Despite extensive employer efforts to improve employee mental health in the past year, nearly 70% of employees say their mental health has worsened or stayed the same, according to new research from Calm. Based on a general audience survey of 4,000+ respondents conducted in September 2023, more than 80% of employees felt nervous, anxious, and stressed in the past month; 61% felt down, depressed, or hopeless at least some of the time during the past month; and 68% had trouble falling asleep in the past month. About 60% of employees said these challenges were negatively affecting their performance at work.
The majority of employees view their workplace negatively, with nearly half of survey respondents using words such as “toxic” and “tumultuous” to describe their work environments. Only 35% used positive words like “supportive” and “fun.” Unmanageable workloads, unrealistic deadlines, and perceived pressure to always be available via technology are major factors contributing to high levels of employee stress and anxiety.
Preventive mental health support is critical
Calm research also showed that although more than 75% of employers offer therapy visits and basic preventive resources through an employee assistance program (EAP), only 25% of employees are aware of these benefits. Here are the top three mental health benefits employees wish their employer offered:
- Mental health days off
- Mental health breaks during the workday
- A self-care tool for managing stress, anxiety, burnout, and sleep issues
Integrating these benefits into your benefits plan can help break through the mental health stigma associated with an EAP and reach more employees needing mental health support.
Studies show the efficacy of these types of programs. Research shows that meditation can reduce anxiety just as effectively as medication, but without the side effects. Studies also show that taking breaks can help employees reduce stress, improve productivity, and boost their mood. Offering easy access to Calm content in the tools employees are already using will help them develop healthy habits and improve their well-being.
Download the new integration on Microsoft AppSource here. And to learn more about Calm for Microsoft Teams, register for our webinar on February 8, 2024.
For more information on proactively supporting employee mental health and well-being, check out our pricing or connect with a Calm specialist today.