Following analysis of over 4,000 cases, RedArc personal nurse advisers have identified the top concerns for patients with a mental health diagnosis. And according to the company, the insurance industry needs to better understand the complexities around clients with mental health conditions. RedArc, which provides personal nurse adviser support on behalf of insurance providers as well as directly, likens mental health to an iceberg – with the depth of the condition not immediately obvious. Further, the company has seen the number of people who have additional concerns linked to a mental health diagnosis increase.
Christine Husbands, managing director for RedArc says: “Being diagnosed with a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression is only the tip of the iceberg – for many people, the auxiliary concerns weigh just as heavily as the specific diagnosis. Many people need access to specialist support and an independent expert can help alleviate the individual’s worries and support them into making a quicker, fuller recovery and managing a return to work, if appropriate.”
RedArc’s patient research shows that people with mental health conditions have three main areas of concern, aside from their specific illness. These typically fall into the following categories:
Work & Finances
- Debts and not being able to ‘afford’ to be off sick
- Not being able to face colleagues
- Pressure to return to work quickly and lack of ‘managed’ phase back
- Fatigue – feeling exhausted upon returning to work
- Feeling of failure or inability to do their job as before
Emotional wellbeing
- Shame and stigma of having a mental health problem
- Loss of confidence
- Withdrawal from other areas of their life such as relationships, family, social groups
- Lack of control over emotions
NHS/Treatment
- Lack of understanding about how to best navigate the NHS
- Ensuring continuation of treatment
- Lack of funding for appropriate treatment
- GP support lacking
It is well documented that mental health conditions can be hugely isolating but with the NHS stretched the traditional system often doesn’t have sufficient time to allocate to patients to discuss anything other than their specific illness. Well-meaning family, friends and employers are also not always welcome sounding-boards but RedArc believes that a patient’s recovery can be jeopardised unless they are given an outlet to voice all of their concerns.
Helping people early, and assessing the correct therapy which can be organised quickly without having to wait for NHS services, can also support people before they reach the point of making a claim, helping providers add value beyond financial support. Claims can be reduced, or avoided altogether, and importantly, the individual can feel more fully supported and get back to good health more quickly.
Christine Husbands continued: “No GPs or consultants actively want to brush these issues under the carpet but long waiting times and short appointment slots mean it’s understandable that mental health sufferers are not receiving the full support they need. It’s encouraging that many health insurers are now providing personal nurse adviser support for their clients, both directly and via employers, so that people have access to third-party qualified medical staff who have time to take a holistic view of the patient.”
RedArc is urging more insurers look at how they can enhance their services in this way, some have been quicker than others to incorporate such additional services to support their offering and have found their propositions greatly enhanced, utilised and valued.