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“When the CFO is just blown away and says, ‘This basically pays for itself,’ it was just a moment where we realized—we’re probably on the cusp of doing something really special for our people here..”
Daniel Abad, VP of Total Rewards, Wellstar
The best support for those who care for their community
Nurses and frontline healthcare workers form the backbone of Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest integrated health providers. Every day, they face intense physical and emotional demands, caring for the most vulnerable.
Yet, these dedicated professionals often put their own mental wellbeing aside.
It's not glamorous. People think we save lives, and we do, but they don't see the emotional toll it takes on us.
—Wellstar Nurse
Wellstar recognized the urgency of addressing this mental health strain and turned to Spring Health for a transformative solution.
Early success and measurable impact
Since partnering with Spring Health in 2021, Wellstar quickly saw undeniable results:
- 600% increase in utilization compared to their previous EAP within 10 months.
- 8% reduction in health plan spending for employees actively engaged with Spring Health.
- 79% improvement in depression symptoms for members after just three sessions.
- $4.30 savings for every $1 invested in Spring Health.
“The positive ROI results speak for themselves, but what really impressed us was the broader impact Spring Health had beyond mental health—on conditions like diabetes and chronic illnesses,” said Penny Ferrell, Executive Director of Employee Wellness & Work-Life Services at Wellstar.
Expanding access to drive utilization
Encouraged by these results, Wellstar doubled their therapy and coaching sessions from 6 to 12 in 2024, signaling their commitment to employee wellbeing.
Within 2 ½ months, enrollment in Spring Health surged by 37%, driven by increased employee awareness and word-of-mouth recommendations.
“We already saw increased productivity and fewer medical claims with just six sessions. Increasing to 12 sessions was a no-brainer,” Ferrell said.
A clear signal to employees: Your wellbeing matters
Expanding their mental health offerings was more than a strategic financial decision—it sent a powerful message to the entire workforce.
It really sends the message to our team members that we get it. Your mental and emotional health play such a huge part in your overall wellness and happiness.
– Penny Ferrell, Executive Director of Employee Wellness & Work-Life Services at Wellstar
For Wellstar leadership, increasing mental health support was straightforward, thanks to Spring Health’s measurable impact, strong organizational buy-in, and compelling ROI.
“It wasn’t us justifying something new. The value of Spring Health was already understood in the organization. It was one of the easiest decisions we've ever made,” Abad said.
What can Spring Health do for your organization?
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