About the Panel Discussion

Mental health benefits have become a core part of the employee value proposition, but availability alone is no longer enough. Many employees may technically have support in place, yet still struggle with long wait times, limited provider choice, unclear care pathways, or difficulty finding the right level of support for more complex needs.

For benefits, wellbeing and total rewards leaders, the question is no longer simply whether support exists, but whether employees can access the right care quickly enough for it to make a meaningful difference. As mental health needs grow more complex, organisations have an opportunity to rethink how care is designed, communicated and delivered. Faster access, better navigation and more specialised support can help employees receive care earlier, reduce pressure on managers, and prevent challenges from escalating into absence, leave, disengagement or higher healthcare costs.

For employers that fail to evolve, the risk is clear: benefits may look strong on paper, but employees still fall through the gaps, trust declines, and workforce performance suffers. Getting this right can improve outcomes, strengthen retention, reduce business disruption and make mental health investment more measurable and defensible.

Hear how benefits and wellbeing leaders are removing friction from the mental health care journey, helping employees access the right support sooner, and building strategies that improve outcomes, reduce risk and deliver greater business value.

Discussion points

Where mental health access is falling short: Understand why availability does not always translate into timely, appropriate care.
How to create clearer pathways to care: Explore how better navigation, provider matching and care models can help employees reach the right support sooner.
How to respond to rising complexity: Learn how employers can better support specialist, higher-acuity and family-related mental health needs before they escalate.
How to prove meaningful impact: Discover which measures can help benefits leaders connect access, outcomes, employee trust and business value.

Speakers

Mary Fairchild, Director of Culture & Employee Experience at Expedia Group
Amanda Graci,, Associate Director, Global Wellbeing at Concentrix
Tatiana McDougall,, Director of Clinical Training and Culturally Responsive Care at Lyra Health
Tim Munden, Partner at inchigo & Former Chief Learning Officer & Global Head of Wellbeing at Unilever
Katie Rhone, Senior Vice President of HERO & Employee Experience at KARE
[Moderator] Chris Rainey, CEO & Co-Founder at HR Leaders