The world has changed over the last three years. It has forced us into lives of periodic isolation, separated from families, friends, and associates. We have been removed from our classrooms and offices, far away from our comfort zone. Our social networks disintegrated.

Many of us have had to create new coping mechanisms to be able to live with the chaos affecting our lives. But most of us do not have access to the right tools to adapt and make the changes needed.

The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. This has been a wake-up call to all countries to step up mental health services and support.

Domestic and international students have been the most affected by the pandemic, war, global economic issues and political instability.

As Kennette Harris, MSW, LCSW, vice president of Clinical Crisis & Specialty Services, says, “It was well-known that even before the pandemic, the student sector was particularly short on resources to help with mental health issues”.

“Covid only served to exacerbate this already dire situation.”

Mental health refers to our mental well-being, how well we cope with our emotions, thoughts and feelings, and how we deal with life’s challenges. The way we connect with the world around us is an important aspect of mental health.

Mental health issues affect most of the world’s population at some point in their lives. Being unable to cope with negative stress, anxiety, and depression are increasingly common challenges for people. With roughly 8 billion people on earth, there will be at least 1-2 billion struggling to manage their mental health.

There is no reason why someone suffering should feel alone or cannot find some form of care.

For 76 years, Ingle Health has been focused on providing health care services and insurance specifically designed to protect students, academics and educational institutions worldwide. Our products empower so they can focus on teaching, getting educated and helping to make the world a better place.

“Providing students with easy-to-access, on-demand mental health support 24/7 is no longer on the wish-list of both students and academic institutions – it is a must-have,” Harris adds.

“SH2S is proud to be able to offer in-the-moment support, both telephonically and by video 24/7/365 with Masters level counsellors in a strictly confidential manner.”

Ingle Health has designed a full Mental Health Ecosystem integrating with its web / mobile health navigation platform. A full range of mental health services so members access the right level of care when they need it.

This stepped-care model gives the member 24 / 7 access to virtual counselling, psychiatric/psychological therapy (such as CBT and DBT), pharmacy services, mindfulness sessions, meditation, brain function analysis, health navigators to assist finding health resources, and health coaching to manage comorbid issues for members coping with life events.

“When treatment is delayed, youth may continue to struggle”

“Youth mental health needs has increased since the beginning of the pandemic, and with thousands of youth on wait lists it is important that serving youth with complex mental health needs are easily accessible and provide quick seamless access to treatment,” Crystal Bell, MSW RSW, Clinical Director EHN Canada of Intensive Outpatient Programs and Aftercare, details.

“When treatment is delayed, youth may continue to struggle in school, relationships, decision making and deteriorate in their overall health. Designing both virtual and in-person programs and services that incorporate the youth voice, are youth friendly, and compassionate will be key to helping youth navigate the help they need.”

About the author: This is a sponsored post by Robin Ingle, the CEO of Ingle Health®,  Ingle International®, Novus Health®, and Travel Navigator™. With over 45 years of experience in the travel, student and health insurance space, Robin leverages technology and innovation to provide industry-leading solutions that meet the needs of today’s consumers and market. Robin is frequently consulted by the media, the insurance industry, and travel & tourism organisations as an authority on health care, insurance, and global affairs.