Contain Costs, Don’t Compromise: A Smarter Mental Health Playbook

Name: Contain Costs, Don’t Compromise: A Smarter Mental Health Playbook
Start: 2025-09-10T17:00:00.000Z

September 10, 2025

10 AM PT / 1 PM ET

Why comprehensive mental healthcare is a strategic cost-containment lever that leaders can’t afford to ignore.

Presenters

Michele Harris

Manager, Work Life Services at Wellstar Health System

Casey Smolka

Lead Product Manager, Data Products at Spring Health

Sarah Rosen

Vice President of Product Marketing at Spring Health

Why You Should Join Us

In today’s environment, HR and benefits leaders are asked to do more with less: reduce spend, support employees, and prove impact faster than ever. Over the past six months, that pressure has only intensified.

Organizations are facing an unsustainable rise in employer-sponsored healthcare costs, which were projected to increase 8-9% year-over-year in 2025. An overlooked—but more scalable—lever to contain these costs is hiding in plain sight: behavioral health.

This high-impact conversation will explore why comprehensive mental health care isn’t just better for people, it’s good business.

Sarah Rosen, will moderate a sharp, solutions-focused discussion with:

Michele Harris, Manager, Work Life Systems at Wellstar Health Systems
Casey Smolka, Head of Actuarial Analytics at Spring Health

They’ll help you understand how to identify savings opportunities within your health plan costs when you choose a more proactive, outcomes-driven behavioral health solution. They’ll also offer a first-hand perspective from the field on the latest ROI and cost data.

What You’ll Learn:

Why “low-cost” mental health vendors often result in higher total spend
How to find behavioral health cost drivers within your health plan spend
How to equip yourself with data your finance team will respect, and your people will trust
Real-world takeaways from organizations actively bending the healthcare cost trend

Join us for an actionable, candid conversation designed to challenge assumptions, reframe cost containment, and leave you better prepared to protect both your people and your budget.

‍

Save your spot

About the presenters

Michele Harris

Manager, Work Life Services at Wellstar Health System

Michele Harris is deeply passionate about fostering an environment where Wellstar Health System's team members can thrive both professionally and personally. As part of Wellstar Health System, a leading not-for-profit healthcare system in Georgia known for its commitment to providing world-class care in a compassionate manner, Michele plays a pivotal role in shaping the team member experience. Her responsibilities encompass the oversight of all Work Life benefits programs, directly contributing to Wellstar's Employer of Choice brand with a primary focus on empowering employees to achieve success at work and home. With a wealth of experience in this domain, Michele is responsible for the strategic direction and operational excellence of key Employer of Choice programs. These include the virtual and onsite concierge program, back-up care solutions, the operations of onsite childcare centers, Spring Health, Purchasing Power, and Perks at Work. Additionally, she champions team member appreciation through her oversight of the systemwide recognition and service anniversary program, Shine Well. A key aspect of her role involves designing, administering, and distributing tracking tools to effectively measure program success and team member participation. While Michele is dedicated to her impactful work at Wellstar, her favorite job is undoubtedly being a mom to her wonderful children, Wesley and Reynolds. As a family, they share an exciting goal: to visit and explore all 63 National Parks before Reynolds graduates high school, creating cherished memories and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the United States.

With a wealth of experience in this domain, Michele is responsible for the strategic direction and operational excellence of key Employer of Choice programs. These include the virtual and onsite concierge program, back-up care solutions, the operations of onsite childcare centers, Spring Health, Purchasing Power, and Perks at Work. Additionally, she champions team member appreciation through her oversight of the systemwide recognition and service anniversary program, Shine Well. A key aspect of her role involves designing, administering, and distributing tracking tools to effectively measure program success and team member participation.

While Michele is dedicated to her impactful work at Wellstar, her favorite job is undoubtedly being a mom to her wonderful children, Wesley and Reynolds. As a family, they share an exciting goal: to visit and explore all 63 National Parks before Reynolds graduates high school, creating cherished memories and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the United States.

‍

Sarah Rosen

Vice President of Product Marketing at Spring Health

Sarah has spent nearly 20 years at the intersection of healthcare and marketing, with expertise spanning providers, payers, employers, and life sciences. She has worked across value-based care, patient experience, IT, and growth strategy, bringing clarity to the industry’s complexity. Now leading product marketing at Spring Health, Sarah combines her passion for B2B marketing with her drive to transform mental healthcare. Known for asking the right questions, she uncovers what truly matters to customers and teams — and turns those insights into meaningful growth. Based in Washington, DC, she balances city life with quick escapes to art and nature.

Now leading product marketing at Spring Health, Sarah combines her passion for B2B marketing with her drive to transform mental healthcare. Known for asking the right questions, she uncovers what truly matters to customers and teams — and turns those insights into meaningful growth. Based in Washington, DC, she balances city life with quick escapes to art and nature.

‍