Cigna Takes Action to Combat the Rise of Loneliness and Improve Mental Wellness in America

Originally posted on Cigna.com

  • Cigna’s 2020 Loneliness Index reveals three in five Americans consider themselves lonely and highlights the business impact of loneliness
  • Cigna expands its comprehensive network of mental health specialists and makes it easier for customers to make appointments in person, over the phone or virtually
  • Cigna Foundation commits $3 million to provide mental health resources in schools, addressing the early risks that can lead to loneliness, stress and depression

America’s loneliness epidemic is getting worse, with three in five adults (61%) reporting they are lonely, a seven percentage-point increase from 2018, according to Cigna’s 2020 Loneliness Index released today. These results come against the backdrop of a rising mental health crisis in America, with more than 46 million people living with a mental illness.1 In response, Cigna is taking action to help communities across the country proactively reduce risks of mental illness and improve mental well-being overall.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8670451-cigna-2020-loneliness-index/

“The trends shaping how we work – increasing use of technology, more telecommuting and the always-on work culture – are leaving Americans more stressed, less rested, spending more time on social media, and less time with friends and family,” said David M. Cordani, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cigna. “For the business community, it is resulting in less engagement, less productivity and lower retention levels. To confront these issues at home and at work, we are helping people build stronger connections and driving deeper health engagement to improve overall well-being and vitality.”

DATA SHOWS A CLEAR CONNECTION BETWEEN WORK AND LONELINESS
The average American employee spends 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime2 and the new Cigna study shows a clear connection between work and loneliness. The full report, which includes a robust analysis of loneliness by demographics, industry and geographies, is available at cigna.com/CombattingLoneliness. Key findings include:

  • Three in five Americans (61%) report that they are lonel
  • Loneliness has a larger impact on certain demographics
    • Men are slightly lonelier than women
    • Younger people (18-22) are lonelier than older people (72+)
    • Those living in urban and suburban communities are less lonely than those in rural areas
    • Social media has a major impact on loneliness with very heavy social media users significantly more likely to feel alone, isolated, left out and without companionship
    • Loneliness has implications for the business community
      • Lonely workers say they are less engaged, less productive and report lower retention rates
      • They are twice as likely to miss a day of work due to illness and five times more likely to miss work due to stress
      • 12% of lonely workers say they believe their work is lower quality than it should be
      • Lonely workers say they think about quitting their job more than twice as often as non-lonely workers
      • Remote workers are more likely than non-remote workers to always or sometimes feel alone
  • CIGNA TAKES ACTION
    To combat the rise of loneliness and improve mental health at home, in the workplace and in our schools, Cigna is taking several steps to help alleviate this multi-faceted issue. These include:

    • Redefining and broadening the services available to address and deliver support for mental health needs.
    • Expanding access to its comprehensive network of more than 170,000 mental and behavioral health care providers3 who are dedicated to helping customers improve their well-being and navigate issues like loneliness, stress, depression, anxiety and addiction. Cigna is also creating preferred provider networks to target areas of the country where the behavioral provider industry faces a significant supply and demand issue.
    • Making it easier and quicker for customers to connect with mental health specialists virtually through its own broad network of 18,000 virtual providers3 and schedule appointments online through an expanded partnership with MDLIVE. Virtual care helps customers overcome stigma, scheduling and accessibility barriers, while giving people peace of mind, privacy and convenience.
    • Creating a path forward for future generations, Cigna is partnering with clients and school districts in select areas to provide a School Support Line for junior high or high school (grade 7-12) students, staff and parents for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. The dedicated phone line will be provided at no charge and will be staffed by Cigna advocates who are trained in how to interact with students, parents and staff.

    The Cigna Foundation is also committing $3 million over three years to support mental well-being in schools, as part of our broader $25 million Healthier Kids for Our Future initiative. “With funding from the Cigna Foundation, we will help schools – and the communities that support them – combat increasingly prevalent mental health issues, such as loneliness and social isolation, anxiety, depression, bullying and violence, and better equip them with tools and resources to promote interpersonal connectivity, social support and resiliency,” said John Murabito, President of the Cigna Foundation and Executive Vice President of Cigna.

     

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