Why Most Workplace Wellbeing Apps Fail And Why HR Teams Are Turning to VÕS HELP

Workplace wellbeing has become a major focus for HR teams across the UK. Organisations are investing more than ever in employee wellbeing platforms, mental health apps, and digital support tools.

Yet despite this investment, stress-related absence, presenteeism, and burnout continue to rise.

So why isn’t it working?

The Reality of Workplace Mental Health in the UK

According to the Health and Safety Executive, stress, anxiety, and depression remain the leading cause of work-related ill health, accounting for over half of all reported cases

👉 https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.pdf

Millions of working days are lost every year due to work-related stress alone

👉 https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm

Despite widespread adoption of wellbeing apps, the data shows that access alone does not equal impact.

Why Most Wellbeing Apps Fail Employees

Many popular wellbeing platforms were not built for the realities of work. Instead, they focus on individual self-care rather than workplace mental health support.

1. They Rely on Passive Content

Apps like Headspace and Calm are centred around meditation, breathing, and mindfulness libraries.

While helpful in certain moments, these tools:

• Do not address workplace-specific stressors

• Rely on self-motivation during moments of overwhelm

• Often see engagement drop after the first few weeks

Government research highlights that workload pressure and organisational change are key contributors to poor mental health at work

👉https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/work-related-stress-anxiety-or-depression-statistics-in-great-britain

Passive tools rarely tackle these root causes.

2. They Provide Support Too Late

Therapy-based platforms such as BetterHelp and Talkspace often involve:

• Waiting lists

• Scheduled appointments

• Lengthy onboarding

In a workplace setting, this delay can mean issues escalate into sickness absence before support is accessed.

UK government guidance stresses the importance of early intervention mental health support for employers

👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-at-work

3. They Are Not Designed for HR Teams

Many wellbeing apps are built for consumers, not organisations. This creates problems for HR teams who need:

• Support that works during working hours

• Tools aligned with HR wellbeing strategies

• Solutions that reduce risk, absence, and presenteeism

National guidance on employer responsibility reinforces the need for structured, proactive workplace support

👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thriving-at-work/the-thriving-at-work-review-of-mental-health-and-employers

Why VÕS HELP Works Where Others Don’t

VÕS HELP was built specifically for HR support and workplace mental health.

Instead of passive content or delayed appointments, VÕS HELP provides:

• Real-time access to trained human counsellors

• Immediate emotional support when employees need it

• A service designed to complement HR teams, not replace them

• Support without requiring a diagnosis or referral

This approach aligns with NHS guidance that highlights accessibility as a key factor in effective mental health support

👉 https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

By offering real-time mental health support, VÕS HELP helps reduce:

• Presenteeism

• Stress-related absence

• Escalation into crisis

What This Means for HR Teams

HR leaders are increasingly moving away from “tick-box wellbeing” and towards solutions that deliver practical, human-led support.

VÕS HELP bridges the gap between:

• Self-guided wellbeing apps

• Clinical therapy services

Making it a powerful tool for organisations focused on mental health support for employees, absence reduction, and sustainable HR wellbeing strategies.

🔄Why Wellbeing Apps Fail vs Why VÕS HELP Works

Why Most Wellbeing Apps Fail at Work

❌ Why Most Workplace Wellbeing Apps Fail(And Why HR Teams Are Rethinking Their Strategy)

❌ Built for individuals, not workplacesMost wellbeing apps weren’t designed for HR or working hours.

❌ Passive content doesn’t fix workplace stressMeditation libraries don’t solve workload pressure or burnout.

❌ Support arrives too lateWaiting weeks for help allows issues to escalate into absence.

❌ Engagement drops fastInitial downloads are high — long-term use is low.

❌ HR teams are left guessingNo real-time reassurance that employees are actually supported.

Why VÕS HELP Works for HR Teams

✅ Why VÕS HELP Works Where Other Apps Don’t

✅ Built specifically for workplace mental healthDesigned with HR teams in mind.

✅ Real-time access to human supportEmployees speak to someone when they need it not weeks later.

✅ Early intervention, not crisis managementSupport before issues become sickness absence.

✅ Higher engagement, lower stigmaNo diagnosis. No pressure. Just support.

✅ A smarter HR wellbeing strategyReal-time support that reduces presenteeism and risk.