Introduction

The importance of employee mental health for businesses

Employee mental health is a critical component of overall organisational success. Research shows that poor mental health in the workplace can lead to significant economic costs because of lost productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher employee turnover rates. According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated USD 1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

Companies that invest in mental health support often see a return on investment in the form of improved employee performance and reduced healthcare costs. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that employees who receive proper mental health care experience an average increase in productivity of 4 hours per week.

Therefore, prioritising employee mental health is not only beneficial for the individual employees but also a sound business strategy.

Impact of organisational change on employee mental health

Organisational change, such as mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring, can significantly affect employee mental health. Change can create uncertainty, fear, and stress among employees, which can exacerbate mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), employees undergoing organisational change are twice as likely to report chronic work stress and are more likely to experience physical health symptoms compared to those who do not face such changes.

The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) found that organisational change often leads to decreased job satisfaction and commitment, contributing to higher turnover intentions and absenteeism. Addressing these mental health challenges during periods of change is crucial for maintaining a stable and productive workforce.

Explore AI and Sand Technologies

Explore AI builds AI-driven software and digital twins for global companies. The company experienced rapid growth and was acquired by Sand Technologies shortly after joining Strove.

Strove's Talk service:

• Strove is an employee wellbeing platform that focuses on helping people build healthy habits. 

• Talk is an additional service offered by Strove that provides on-demand video-call coaching, counselling, and psychology services to employees for mental health support and professional development. 

Objectives of the case study:

• To showcase the positive impact of Strove’s Talk service on the mental health and wellbeing of Explore AI’s employees.

• To present usage statistics, including the number of appointments and growth in engagement.

• To identify and discuss the prominent themes addressed in both counselling and coaching sessions, highlighting the specific benefits for employees.

• To provide evidence of high user satisfaction.

• To highlight the overall impact on Explore AI and Sand Technologies.

Challenges faced by Explore AI

Explore AI is a dynamic and ambitious company driven by the belief that individuals with the right attitude and aptitude can transform the world. Their nine guiding values emphasise dedication, excellence, growth, and optimism.

Explore AI fosters a culture where employees are encouraged to invest deeply in their work, approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset, and strive for exceptional performance. Their commitment to long-term impact reflects in their value of "planting trees you'll never see," highlighting a forward-thinking and sustainable approach.

By promoting a growth-oriented and optimistic environment, Explore AI inspires its team to explore with courage and creativity, embodying a performance mindset that is poised to drive innovation and success.

Explore AI's performance-driven culture, while fostering innovation and success, can also lead to high stress levels, burnout, and work-life balance challenges for employees.

The intense pressure to perform, fear of failure, and potential social isolation underscore the importance of prioritising mental health. Additionally, the acquisition by Sand Technologies brought its own set of challenges, including cultural integration, increased expectations, and potential uncertainty among employees.

Explore AI recognised that taking employee mental health seriously was not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. By giving their employees access to Strove’s Talk service, Explore AI hoped to address these issues while sustaining productivity, enhancing creativity, reducing turnover, and building a positive, resilient workplace culture amidst the complexities of acquisition and growth.

Implementation of Integrated Care services

Explore AI is a dynamic and ambitious company driven by the belief that individuals with the right attitude and aptitude can transform the world. Their nine guiding values emphasise dedication, excellence, growth, and optimism.

Explore AI activated Strove (without Talk) in mid-March 2023. A small pilot group received access, before a wider deployment over the coming months. The Strove app immediately engaged Explore AI users leading to an adoption rate of 71% of onboarded users by October 2023. 

As the merger with Sand Technologies approached, Explore AI granted each employee access to up to 5 Strove Talk sessions per month, starting in November 2023. Employees received 5 “Care Credits” in their Strove app on the first of every month which they could use to book 60-minute video-call sessions with counsellors, psychologists, or coaches.

Strove hosted an info session together with HR staff from Explore AI to introduce the feature and explain the benefit. The first Talk session was booked on the same day, and 34 sessions were booked in the first month of deployment.

Usage statistics and growth

Since activation, Strove Talk has seen steady growth

Themes of discussion

By understanding and utilising the themes of discussion from Talk sessions, companies can make informed decisions that enhance employee well-being, leading to a more productive, engaged, and healthy workforce.

Counselling session themes

In the counselling sessions at Explore AI, three main themes emerged: ‘Relationships and Communication’, ‘Identity, Purpose, and Personal Growth’, and ‘Anxiety and Depression’. The frequent discussions about relationships and communication highlight that employees are deeply concerned with their interpersonal dynamics and communication skills.

The focus on identity and personal growth reveals a strong desire among employees for self-discovery and meaningful engagement in their work. Meanwhile, anxiety and depression remain significant issues. These patterns underline the urgent need for comprehensive mental health and wellness support to help employees navigate these challenges and maintain their well-being. The low frequency of help sought for ‘Stress and Burnout’ is commendable, given the high-performance environment at Explore AI. This may indicate that good management practices are effectively mitigating stress and preventing burnout among employees.

User satisfaction and feedback

Selected anonymous feedback from Explore AI users:

The sessions I have had with Ryan have been invaluable. His direct style suits my needs. If I could no longer attend sessions with him via Strove, I would seek his services via private practice. Having the possibility of attending sessions with a professional, as paid for by my company, is the best thing they have done for my health.

Tanele was really amazing, wow! This was my first ever therapy session, and I was blown away.

Many Talk users become long-term users of the product. Over time, these sessions can have truly life-changing effects for employees as they have for David, Munesu, and Paulinah:

The Talk service has significantly impacted my professional growth, providing invaluable insights and strategies tailored to my unique career path. The ease and convenience of accessing coaches whenever needed have made a vast difference, it really is simple to book a session, and it automatically confirms in my calendar. I highly value this service for its personalised approach, which has not only enhanced my skills but also boosted my confidence during times of organisational change. The support from my coach has been instrumental in helping me navigate and adapt to these transitions, ensuring I remain focused and resilient.

- David Labuschagne

My life truly transformed the first time I clicked the Talk feature and explored the options. Strove Talk has helped in enhancing my work efficiency, building healthy habits, and understanding my thoughts and emotions better. It has helped me find balance in life, and I don’t just mean in terms of work-life balance. Each week, after a session, I walk away with newfound wisdom and clarity. It's my favourite part of the entire Strove app. I genuinely believe it has made me more efficient in my work, more introspective, healthier both physically and mentally, and gradually wiser overall.

- Munesu Manyangarirwa

Strove talk has had a transformative effect on my life. The convenience of accessing therapy and coaching sessions remotely has made it easier for me to prioritise my mental health. I was very emotional and overwhelmed when I joined the sessions. Still, the support I’ve received has significantly improved my resilience and personal growth, helping me navigate challenges with greater confidence and clarity.

- Paulinah Matlala

Organisational impact

Nuri Barnard, Wellness & Success Lead at Explore AI, was instrumental in the successful implementation of Strove. She is adamant that Strove has had a material impact in nurturing employee resilience at the organisation:

"Partnering with Strove has been transformative. The Talk services have helped staff navigate and cope with organisational change post acquisition and during integration processes. Strove's resources have played a huge part in nurturing resiliency and maintaining adaptability."

More than just a tick-box employee support service, Talk enjoyed real adoption and high usage by employees.

"What's significant for me is that adoption of the Talk Service has practically doubled since November 2023 (acquisition date). In my mind this is a sign of a healthy community who is accessing available resources to support themselves during change. Without this support mechanism, I believe we would have faced massive challenges in dealing with organisational changes."

Organisational change can lead to extended periods of stagnation and poor productivity as employees adjust to new roles and processes. Strove and the Talk service helped to reduce this impact and keep the business moving forward.

"Broadly speaking, our teams have found a way to adjust, adapt, find their equilibrium, and maintain productivity in a very short period. Organisations generally cannot achieve this in under a year, but for us, it has been nine months! Although there is more work to be done as we navigate ongoing changes, having the resources offered through Strove is pivotal in maintaining wellbeing."

Insights from the Strove Talk team

The Strove coaches, counsellors, and psychologists are truly vested in the success and wellbeing of their clients. Many have expressed amazement at the commitment and growth observed in their Explore AI clients:

The changes from EAI's acquisition by Sand Tech created a new work environment and company culture, placing many employees outside of their comfort zones. This created stress and uncertainty within some clients. The clients I worked with underwent many changes in the work environment and staff involvement. The Talk platform on the Strove app helped many employees reach out in a confidential, safe space. Talk assisted employees in being honest with their concerns and gathering new tools to assist with the changing environment. While learning coping mechanisms, clients learned how to manage their anxieties healthily and, by doing so, learnt about themselves in the process. I have seen clients become more confident and able to apply daily skills in order to achieve a balance between what clients can and cannot control. These skills and valuable tools assist not only in the workspace but also in all aspects of life.

- Chantelle Niklaus, Strove Counsellor

Employees at Explore AI are deeply committed to their coaching sessions, diligently applying any learnings and reaping the benefits. They remain highly engaged and motivated, demonstrating significant progress in both their professional and personal lives. Coaching has helped them through key transitions, including team changes, evolving company goals, and promotions. I’m proud to be part of the Talk team that has been so instrumental in supporting them during these times of change and growth.

- Andrea Arcusa, Strove Coach

I have had the privilege of working with several clients from AI (Sand Tech) over the past 7 months. Their commitment to the therapeutic process has been exemplary, demonstrating a strong dedication to both their personal growth and how it translates to their roles within the workplace. Many of these clients initially sought support to navigate challenges in their personal lives and then reflected on the significant changes that were occurring within the business and the anticipatory anxieties it brought up for them.

Their proactive approach to seeking help showcased their resilience and adaptability. Throughout our sessions, they diligently worked on their personal challenges, which positively affected their professional lives.

I have witnessed significant benefits not only for the individual clients but also believe this has had a positive impact on the organisation. Their enhanced emotional intelligence, increased self-awareness, improved coping strategies, and better communication skills will contribute to a more harmonious and productive work environment.

This collaborative effort has reinforced my belief in the profound impact that personal development can have on professional success. I am confident that the continued support and dedication of these clients will lead to sustained growth and positive outcomes for both themselves and Explore AI (Sand Tech).

- Ashleigh Kater, Strove Psychologist

Conclusion

The case of Explore AI illustrates the profound positive impact of Strove's Integrated Care services on employee wellbeing and organisational success. Through implementing the Talk service, Explore AI could effectively address significant mental health challenges among its workforce, particularly during a period of substantial organisational change.

The data and usage statistics, themes of discussion, and high user satisfaction, clearly show the benefits of providing accessible mental health support. Employees engaged deeply with the service, showing marked improvements in their personal and professional lives. The top themes in both counselling and coaching sessions highlighted critical areas of concern and growth, from managing anxiety and depression to developing emotional intelligence and leadership skills.

The positive feedback from employees and the observed improvements in mental health metrics underscore the service's effectiveness. Employees reported a high level of satisfaction with their sessions, which translated into better coping mechanisms, enhanced productivity, and increased resilience.

The organisational impact was equally significant. By prioritising mental health, Explore AI maintained stability and productivity during its acquisition by Sand Technologies. Integrating Strove's services helped improve morale and foster a positive workplace culture. The success of this initiative highlights the strategic importance of investing in employee wellbeing.

As Explore AI continues to grow and develop within Sand Technologies, the ongoing support from Strove's Integrated Care services will be pivotal in ensuring a resilient and engaged workforce.

How can Strove Integrated Care help your organisation?

In today’s dynamic and demanding workplace, employees face high levels of stress, rapid technological advancements, and the constant pressure to perform. To thrive in this environment, organisations need a modern solution that prioritises the health and wellbeing of their workforce.

Strove’s Integrated Care services, encompassing Talk and Nourish, provide comprehensive support that addresses mental health, physical health, personal growth, and professional development. By investing in these services, companies can foster a resilient, engaged, and productive workforce.

Join the forward-thinking organisations that have already made employee wellbeing a priority and experience the transformative impact of Strove’s Integrated Care services.

Contact us to start your journey towards a healthier,
happier workplace.