As discussed in our original Basecamp posting here, this page highlights the mental health resources currently available to all team members at SkyVerge.
Oftentimes, half the battle of taking care of yourself during a mental health challenge can just be knowing where to turn. It’s our hope that by clearly documenting the initial steps you can take, we can help mitigate some of that overwhelming feeling.
An important reminder: self-care in this way will look different for each individual. The steps broken out above are meant to set you on a path towards figuring out what the next best thing is for you in your particular care journey.
US Team Members
- EAP
- TriNet-US provides an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) service to all team members, for free. The EAP is run through a partnership with FEI Behavioral Health. The EAP program is free for all US team members, and is not associated with any one particular carrier.
- Through this EAP, every team member has access to up to 3 free therapy sessions with a therapist you choose/match with in your area. Once youâve hit the 3rd session, your therapist and you can work out whether youâd like to continue seeing them, and if so, what cost/session might look like. A lot of therapists will offer sliding scale (pricing based on your income/ability to pay), so be sure to ask about this! If they canât offer it, ask them if they can point you in the direction of a therapist that can : )
- Accessing the EAP is simple — you can call 1.888.893.5893 to be connected to an FEI Counselor directly. You can also fill out an initial intake form online here. Please note that they will respond via phone, not email. If your phone is set up to automatically block unknown numbers, they may not be able to reach you–so please make sure this feature is disabled while youâre waiting to hear back!
- Contact your carrier directly
- The easiest way to figure out what type of mental health care is covered by your current insurance plan is to speak with your carrier directly. You can find their contact info right within TriNet, or via the numbers listed on the back of your insurance card. When connected, let them know youâre looking to learn what type of mental health coverage (therapy, medication, etc) your plan currently covers. This will then allow you to search for therapists within network in your area.
- To find your carrierâs contact information:
- Log into TriNet, left handside, Benefits > Carrier > Carrier Contacts:
- Alternatively, you can call the TriNet solutions center at 1-800-638-0461. Youâll need to have your insurance card on hand, as theyâll need that information to assist you.
Canadian Team Members
- EFAP
- TriNet-Canada provides an EFAP (Employee Family Assistance Program) service to all team members, for free. The EFAP is run through a partnership with WorkHealthLife.
- To access the EFAP, you can head to their website here. Search for âTriNetâ, which should take you here. There are a number of different resources available to you directly from their website.
- To begin the process of getting connected with a counselor through the EFAP, you can call 1.800.387.4765 directly. Service is provided 24/7. You can also begin the outreach process online via their app, email, or live chat. Please note that they are likely to call you back rather than respond via email!
- Contact Great West Life directly.
- You can also call GWL directly at 1.800.957.9777 to learn more about whatâs covered under our insurance plan through TriNet. Our policy number is 160422. Please note that they will likely ask for your Employee ID, which should be only the last 7 digits (ID minus the 4 zeros).
- A note on GWL: they can be notoriously difficult to work with. I am more than happy to help support you in navigating interactions with them (especially if they claim something isnât covered on our insurance plan), so please reach out to me directly if youâd like more support in dealing with them!
A note on EAPs and EFAPs in general: these are not just for therapy! There are a number of different services covered by both the EAP (on the US side) and the EFAP (on the Canadian side). Please utilize any of these you see fit — they can help with legal, financial, health, career, family, marriage, and individual support! Itâs pretty darn magical.
International team members
A big shout out to yâall for helping me with your research on this! Below, Iâve include the current information we have on what mental health coverage looks like for folks on the team in countries outside of the US and Canada. Note that this is an evolving list, and will be updated as needed.
Spain
Mental health service provided by Sanitas.
This service is provided in exclusive and specialized centers in the treatment of mental health problems, psychological problems and addictions, which combine a wide range of specialized resources that will be used in the different phases of the therapeutic process.
Benefits include:
- Personalized and comprehensive care for people with mental illness.
- Extended stays in specialized clinics to increase the chances of recovery and improvement of the patient.
- Specific protocol for continuous therapeutic follow-up of the patient and the family to improve adherence to therapy and avoid possible relapses.
- Avoid waiting lists of public specialized hospital units.
- The activities are designed by a multidisciplinary team made up of psychologists, neuropsychologists, occupational therapists, music therapists, sports psychologists and yoga teachers who evaluate each person on a case-by-case basis and who address their treatment with a medical-psychiatric approach with psychological support.
Switzerland
Included in the standard health insurance:
- Access to a psychiatrist (max 40 visits, then Iâd have to get a medical âcertificateâ is required)
- Access to some psychologists that are associated with hospitals or medical institutions (also max of 40 visits)
- Independent psychologists (not associated with insurance company) are not covered (unless you opt to pay for an additional complementary insurance, then coverage may be included)
- No alternative medicine is covered (acupuncture, homeopathic therapies, osteopathy, etc.)
Colombia
Every employee or contractor must contribute a portion of their salary to the health system every month. This allows you to choose a health provider that covers medical emergencies, as well as appointments with general practitioners for diagnosis, and/or referrals to a specialist as needed.
In addition, as the national health system can frequently be over-burdened, some health providers offer their own network of specialists, hospitals and clinics. You can choose to pay separately for these health insurance plans (on a monthly or annual basis) which also offer mental health resources. For example, a supplemental health insurance plan could include:
- Access to an annual neuropsychological evaluation
- As many needed appointments with a psychiatrist (upon request)
- Up to 24 appointments with a psychologist annually
U.K
National healthcare! You can read more about what mental health resources are offered, as well as how to access them, here. Please note that mental health services are free, but some may require a referral from your GP.
Taiwan
More public healthcare! Taiwanâs NHI (National Health Insurance) offers access to a variety of affordable mental health services.
Taiwanâs National Health Insurance (NHI) covers the majority of costs incurred while seeking psychiatric assistance, including doctorâs visits and medication. A visit to one of the hospital clinics will cost about NT$400, depending on where you go. Counseling is also covered by NHI.
But, once again, you have to first meet with a psychiatrist before being able to meet with a psychologist. It is worth noting that, in most cases, NHI only covers hospital visits. Choosing to go to an independent clinic is therefore more expensive, with some centers charging around NT$4,000 for one ninety-minute session. […] The fees at the Community Services Center are set on a sliding scale based on a patientâs income, making sure its services remain affordable regardless of how much a person makes. The Center asks people to call and set a time to meet with them to discuss specific costs. NTUHâs clinic for foreigners, despite being a part of the main hospital, is not covered by NHI and charges NT$500 a first-time registration fee, plus NT$1,500 per visit.
Vietnam
TBA