Why HR Teams Need Real-Time Workplace Mental Health Support

Providing effective mental health support for employees has become a critical priority for HR teams across the UK. Rising sickness absence, presenteeism, and burnout are forcing organisations to rethink their HR wellbeing strategy and the tools they rely on.

While well-known mental health apps dominate the market, many were not designed to meet the real demands of workplace mental health support.

The Growing Pressure on HR Teams

According to the Health and Safety Executive, stress, anxiety, and depression account for over half of all work-related ill health cases in the UKhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.pdf

This directly impacts:

• Absence reduction targets

• Productivity and engagement

• Employee retention

• Organisational risk

Government data shows millions of working days are lost each year due to work-related stress https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm

HR teams therefore need early intervention mental health support, not reactive or delayed solutions.

Why Popular Mental Health Apps Fall Short at Work

Platforms such as BetterHelp and Talkspace operate primarily as therapy marketplaces. While suitable for private individuals, they often create barriers in workplace settings.

These include:

• Waiting lists for appointments

• Support delivered outside working hours

• No real-time access

• Limited alignment with HR policies

Government guidance makes it clear that employers should provide timely and accessible mental health support at workhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-at-work

The Limits of Self-Guided Wellbeing Apps

Apps like Headspace and Calm focus on meditation and mindfulness content. While useful as a supplement, they do not address the root causes of workplace stress.

UK government research highlights that workload pressure and organisational change are key drivers of poor mental health in the UK workplacehttps://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/work-related-stress-anxiety-or-depression-statistics-in-great-britain

For HR teams managing high-risk environments, passive content alone is rarely enough.

How VÕS HELP Supports HR Differently

VÕS HELP was built specifically for HR support and employee wellbeing. It provides real-time mental health support through immediate access to trained human counsellors.

This aligns with the government’s Thriving at Work recommendations for proactive employer-led supporthttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thriving-at-work/the-thriving-at-work-review-of-mental-health-and-employers

By intervening early, VÕS HELP helps reduce:

• Sickness absence

• Presenteeism

• Escalation to crisis

Competitor Comparison: What HR Teams Actually Get

Feature	VÕS HELP	BetterHelp	Talkspace	Headspace	Calm
Real-time human support	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Designed for HR teams	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Immediate access	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Workplace-focused support	✅ Yes	⚠️ Limited	⚠️ Limited	❌ No	❌ No
Early intervention support	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No

Why HR Teams Are Moving Towards VÕS HELP

HR leaders are increasingly prioritising workplace mental health support, absence reduction, and presenteeism management. VÕS HELP bridges the gap between self-care apps and clinical therapy, offering a practical, human-led solution for modern workplaces.