Why Tailored Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing Programs Matter, Especially for Working Mothers

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has shed light on a troubling trend, which shows that the mental health of mothers in the U.S. is in significant decline. From 2016 to 2023, the number of mothers reporting “excellent” mental health dropped by more than 10 percentage points, while reports of “fair” or “poor” mental health rose by about 3 points.

While this statistic is US-based, mental health is of rising concern globally and, therefore, should remain a continued focus of employee benefits plans.

In fact, Insurope’s Global Employee Benefits and Multinational Pooling Report revealed that 58% of HR leaders worldwide want to expand their wellbeing offerings. 85% reported that wellness solutions have a positive impact on employee wellbeing. And 39% say wellness and mental health offerings are some of the most frequently used by their employees. From mental health to financial wellness, companies are recognizing that traditional benefits packages are no longer enough. And in today’s global workforce, one-size-fits-all solutions simply don’t cut it.

This is particularly true when it comes to supporting working mothers. The challenges facing a mother in New York might be vastly different from those in France, Mexico or China, but the need for accessible, culturally relevant support is universal.

That’s where multinational pooling can help. By leveraging the global scale of a pooling network companies can unlock access to local Network Members who understand the country-specific needs of their employees. Additionally, it can offer efficiencies and dividends that allow companies to reinvest in more comprehensive, regionally tailored benefits programs. Whether it’s access to local mental health services, childcare support, or flexible leave policies, leveraging multinational pooling to gain access to local expertise and solutions can have an impact for employees and their families.
The bottom line is when companies take steps to provide meaningful support, especially to populations who need it most like working parents, they don’t just improve health outcomes. They build a more loyal, productive, and engaged global workforce.

Request a copy of Insurope’s Global Employee Benefits and Multinational Pooling Report today: LINK