How tech can help turn the mental health tide (affordably) for SMBs
When it comes to workplace mental health, the question isn't "Should we care?" but rather "How can we afford not to?"
By Dr. Angela Lim and Neil Webster.
Unfortunately, burnout has become business as usual. A 2024 Employment Hero survey found 61% of Kiwi workers had experienced burnout in the past three months. That number jumps to 70% for Gen Z, driven largely by financial pressure and unrelenting workload. On the Clearhead platform, 77% of users cite work demands as their top source of mental health strain.
This isn't a 'nice to solve' problem; it's a national issue that affects productivity and for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), it's a particularly tough one.
The old EAP model isn't working
Traditionally, the go-to solution for workplace mental health has been Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs). But the cracks are starting to show.
These programmes were built around a one-employer, one-contract model often with in-person counselling as the default. That means long lead times, location limits and high fixed costs for services that might be barely used.
The recent spate of large, well-resourced companies canning their traditional EAPs is testament to the need for a better solution. If multinationals like Xero cannot sustain such a program, what hope do smaller businesses have? SMBs today often find themselves forced to choose between compliance tools, payroll platforms and wellbeing support - which is a trade-off no business should have to make.
In a world where burnout is rising and budgets are tight, we need a new, fit-for-purpose model.
Pooled, digital, and scalable
That's exactly why Employment Hero partnered with Clearhead - to help build a modern mental health model that actually works for SMBs.
Here's how it's different:
- It's digital: Employees can access therapy, resources and coaching from anywhere, anytime without waiting for a phone call back.
- It's pooled: Costs are spread across thousands of Employment Hero customers, lowering the barrier to entry for smaller businesses.
- It's integrated: Because the service is bundled into their core HR platform, support is available without a separate contract or platform and associated costs to manage.
- It's always on: Employees don't have to go through a manager or HR rep to get help as they can book directly and confidentially through the Clearhead platform.
This isn't a token wellness add-on; it's a new way of thinking when it comes to how workplace mental health support is delivered - affordable, accessible and scalable.
Real-world impact
Solving mental health at work isn't about throwing money at the problem - it's about designing systems that meet people where they are at and that scale as they grow.
Since launching, the two companies have seen early signs of success. Businesses that previously couldn't justify a standalone EAP now have support built into the system. Employees are engaging directly and HR leaders are reporting better visibility into wellbeing trends and less admin.
Where to from here?
As burnout continues to rise - pooled, tech-enabled mental health support is part of the long-term solution.
It doesn't replace empathy, culture or good leadership but it does make help more accessible, particularly for the tens of thousands of Kiwi businesses that need more support but have been priced out until now.
Because when mental health becomes a shared priority, everyone wins.
Article Found Here:
CFOtech New Zealand - Technology news for CFOs & financial decision-makers
https://cfotech.co.nz/story/how-tech-can-help-turn-the-mental-health-tide-affordably-for-smbs
ChannelLife New Zealand - Industry insider news for technology resellers
https://channellife.co.nz/story/how-tech-can-help-turn-the-mental-health-tide-affordably-for-smbs
eCommerceNews New Zealand - Technology news for digital commerce decision-makers
https://ecommercenews.co.nz/story/how-tech-can-help-turn-the-mental-health-tide-affordably-for-smbs
IT Brief New Zealand - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
https://itbrief.co.nz/story/how-tech-can-help-turn-the-mental-health-tide-affordably-for-smbs
