Concordia Plans introduces a new mental health resource

On May 1, Concordia Plan Services (CPS), the comprehensive benefits provider for The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod (LCMS) unveiled a new resource designed to support and improve the mental health care of church workers.

The resource, a national mental health care network from Evernorth Health Services, is called the Confide Behavioral Health Navigator. Is going to:

• Provide expanded mental health solutions with an enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering up to eight free sessions per year per mental health topic (compared to six sessions previously);
• Provide personal support designed to help workers overcome common barriers to mental health care;
• Provide access to a digital portal with additional resources for assessment and care recommendations for members who want self-service;
• Allow members to work with a care navigator that will help them make more effective use of the services offered;
• Provide 24/7 access to clinical help; i
• Provide resources not just to the Concordia Health Plan member, but to all members of the household, even those not considered dependents, because, as Dave Kuschel, CPS assistant vice president of strategic communications, explains, mental health of each member of the household affects everyone else in the household, so it is crucial that we serve them all.

Kevin Herweck, CPS vice president and chief product officer, said LCMS workers have historically accessed current EAP at twice the industry average not because of greater need, but because it meets people where they are. find easily accessible solutions. However, Herweck said, we want to further improve that access rate. This enhanced EAP will ensure a worker’s ability to connect with an advisor within three days, either virtually or in person.

The Evernorth Confide network has 120,000 advisers. Not all of them are Christians, but the search engine allows filtering so that the user can limit the search to Christian counselors. There is also a separate list with only Lutheran counselors. Depending on the situation of the workers and the availability of the advisers, the services can be accessed by telephone, in person or online.

Herweck notes that the ability to receive care online has the added benefit of reducing any discomfort associated with physically showing up for counseling. Although mental health has received more attention from society in recent years, the stigma associated with seeking treatment remains, with some people waiting 1012 years (a period known as the silent decade) before doing so. it May, which has historically been named Mental Health Awareness Month, is an opportune time to launch the new resource and work to reduce this stigma by encouraging conversations that too often can be left out.

Hope for a weary world

Kuschel said the enhanced EAP is the product of a concerted effort to connect with multiple Synod stakeholders to get their ideas on how best to serve workers. An advisory committee comprised of pastors trained in mental health, mental health professionals, and a geographically diverse group of ministry leaders also provided guidance. It is a fact that healthy church workers are better church workers who can more effectively carry out the churches mission. But Herweck says CPS wants to care for workers not just for the sake of the churches but for the sake of the workers.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Herweck notes, the world has seen rising levels of anxiety, depression and substance abuse. These trends are widespread, in all areas of life.

Church workers are subject to the same stressors as everyone else, perhaps even more so because of the burdens they carry as workers.

CPS is committed to providing the most comprehensive program possible to support the overall well-being of LCMS church workers and their families. We do this because we care about our workers as people. But we also want them to be well so they can focus on proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to a hurting world, Herweck said.

For more information about all the resources CPS offers to serve the mental health of church workers, visit concordiaplans.org/mentalhealth. There, Concordia health plan members and their family can access Evernorth Confide to enroll 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

Print the page