The Co-operators Life Insurance Co. is adding online cognitive behavioural therapy to its extended health-care coverage from January 2019.
The new offering, through Morneau Shepell Ltd., will be included alongside the insurer’s group benefits coverage for psychologists and social workers.
“We’re proud to be one of the first group benefits providers to offer iCBT in our extended health-care coverage,” said Conor Quinn, vice-president of group benefits with the Co‑operators, in a press release. “This is just another way for us to help make the workplace a pathway to positive mental health.”
Read: Work-focused CBT can help depressed employees remain on the job
The Co-operators is also including the therapy as part of its claims management services for plan members who are away on disability leave for mental-health problems, with the level of support tailored to each individual situation.
“We know that iCBT helps remove barriers for people who need support, whether those barriers are related to geography, cost or specific challenges with anxiety or depression,” said Adam Kelly, senior vice-president of health and productivity solutions at Morneau Shepell. “Winter and the holidays can be particularly hard on an individual’s mental well-being, so we are pleased to be able to offer the Co-operators plan members a practical and empowering approach to therapy.”