AXA Global Healthcare is expanding its health and wellbeing offer to bring quick access to a fully qualified psychologist for members in need of mental health support.
Called ‘Mind Health’, the service can address a variety of concerns, from missing friends to problems at work or home, or facing a difficult life challenge.
During a 2020 pilot the service supported members coping with distressing life events, managing emotions such as low mood, anxiety and anger, and handling the impact of physical health conditions on the body and mind.
The service is available to all individual and small business members and their dependents and can be accessed through the Virtual Doctor from AXA service, already familiar to members. After initially discussing their health concern with a doctor, any members who may need psychological support will be referred to the Mind Health team and a consultation with a psychologist will be arranged at a time that suits them.
Andy Edwards global head of international healthcare, AXA Global Healthcare, said: “During last year’s pilot period, we saw a number of referrals for mental health support after members had initially called about a physical symptom. By providing the service through our Virtual Doctor service, we hope to help our members adopt a more holistic approach to their health, therefore taking the best possible care of themselves both physically and mentally.”
Andy Edwards commented: “While the Mind Health service wasn’t developed specifically to provide mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re acutely aware that, for many organisations, this is currently top of the agenda. The potential that this service has to help people right now is very clear to us, and following an encouraging pilot, we are pleased to be able to offer it earlier than originally planned. We hope that our members find it delivers the help they need, while we continue to invest in further proactive health and wellbeing services for use in the future.”
Virtual Doctor from AXA is provided by Teladoc Health, which includes consumer brand Advance Medical. Teladcoc Health also offers its second medical opinion service. Teladoc Health provides healthcare services in over 175 countries, and has over 7,000 doctors within their network.
Carlos Nueno, president at Teladoc Health International, said: “The stress of the pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in people seeking mental health services. Virtual care is their avenue to receive this support at the right time, which we have seen has a significantly positive impact on their lives.”