One in four people in the UK experience mental health problems every year, according to the NHS. For employers and the economy, this means roughly £70 billion (OECD) is lost every year in productivity, benefit payments and healthcare expenditure. As a result, awareness of the importance of good workplace mental health and wellbeing is growing.

When mental health problems occur, giving your employees quick access to fast and appropriate treatment is critical. With early intervention, mental health conditions are far less likely to escalate. This reduces the cost of treatment and helps your employee return to work quickly.

Being able to self-refer for mental health treatment means your employees can access fast and convenient support, without the need for a GP referral.

Members can simply call our helpline for emotional wellbeing support with one of our experienced nurses who will discuss appropriate treatment options and pre-authorise any necessary mental health treatment straight away.

Cigna's own research shows that more than half of the UK population suffer from work-related stress and 45% don’t have a good work–life balance. Promoting awareness of emotional wellbeing and making it easy for your employees to access support when they need it will help them stay well and remain productive members of the workforce.

When mental health problems do occur, Cigna’s self-referral programme means you can be sure your employees can access the right treatment at the right time. 

Accessing psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychiatric care via the NHS can involve long waiting times. With self-referral, members will be booked in for a telephone assessment within 48 hours, with treatment accessible within ten days.