Get Mental Health Support for Employees Without the Wait

When life feels overwhelming and you’re not sure what to do next, getting help quickly matters. But in the UK, it can take up to 18 months to see a mental health professional (NHS). That’s a long time for symptoms to get worse, motivation to fade, and recovery to feel out of reach.

Britt Slief, a psychologist at OpenUp, shares: “In many of my sessions, I see people pushing through the waiting time rather than pausing. They keep going until they truly can’t anymore. This makes getting better much harder.”

With OpenUp, your team can talk to a psychologist right away. There’s no waiting list, so employees get safe, confidential support when they need it.

You don’t have to wait for support. Employees can get help straight away, start feeling better sooner, and get back to enjoying their work.

Why Waiting for Support is No Longer an Option

In the UK, people can wait up to 18 weeks or more to see a psychologist (NHS). Every extra month of waiting lowers the chance of staying at work by 2% (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 2023).

Meanwhile, costs for employers add up: an absent employee costs between £215 and £345 per day due to continued pay and lost productivity (MKB Servicedesk, 2024). Research from TNO Arbobalans 2024 shows that employees with mental health challenges are off work an average of 63 days, almost 3 months.

Long absences cost more than money. Employees can lose motivation, confidence, and resilience. Key things needed to recover. On average, this can add up to £13,545 per employee each year.

Acting early helps stop symptoms from getting worse. The sooner you step in, the sooner employees can recover and feel good at work again.

Britt shares a practical example of the impact of quick support:

“An employee from a large tech company came to us after weeks of stress and trouble concentrating, though the symptoms weren’t yet ‘severe enough’ for traditional mental healthcare. Within two days, she had her first session with us. We worked together to manage stress and regain focus, and after five sessions, she felt back in control. Without quick help, she probably would have had to take full sick leave.”

Why Acting Fast Matters

“As psychologists, we see every day how big the difference is between early help and waiting too long,” shares Britt. “If you need to wait twenty weeks for care, you’re already five-nil behind before you even begin.”

Getting help early really matters. Employees who get support within days recover about four weeks faster and return to work up to 80% sooner. They also feel more supported and confident as they recover.

Fast mental health support keeps symptoms from getting worse and helps employees stay healthy and involved at work. It’s good care and good leadership.

How to Skip the NHS Waiting List

You don’t have to wait for a spot in traditional mental health care. Many organisations now use direct-access support like OpenUp. Employees get private help right away, with no referral or long sign-up process.

In just a few days, employees can talk to a qualified psychologist online and anonymously. It’s flexible and fits around their schedule.

The Benefits for Employers and Teams

• Speed: Quick intake and immediate start.
• Quality: Qualified psychologists with real work experience.
• Flexibility: Online sessions that fit around work hours.
• No Bureaucracy: No administrative hurdles or referrals.

This way, getting mental health support is simple and results come quickly.

With OpenUp, there’s no waiting. You get help right away from people who understand what you’re going through.

The OpenUp Approach: Immediate Mental Support, No Waiting

At OpenUp, you can talk to professionals who listen, understand, and offer real help. Our coaching works because it’s personal and easy to access.

Everyone should have someone to talk to, without waiting. That’s why OpenUp gives teams and organisations direct, secure coaching.

How It Works:

• Individual: Sign up securely via our platform or app.
• Company: Book a demo with OpenUp.
• Quick Start: Within 36 hours, have your first session with a certified psychologist.
• Private: Online 1-on-1 sessions with experts who really get what you’re going through.

What You Can Expect:

• No involvement from HR or admin hassles.
• One-on-one sessions with psychologists holding a master’s degree and clinical supervision.
• Support in over 40 languages.
• Private, secure, and certified (ISO 27001 and NEN 7510) sessions.
• Optional follow-up sessions or support from lifestyle, financial, or leadership coaches. Plus, there are workshops, webinars, and self-guided learning options.

Visible Impact on Well-being and Performance

The OpenUp Impact Study shows this approach really works:

• 83% of users feel better or have fully recovered from their mental challenges thanks to OpenUp.
• 82% recover faster and return to work sooner and with more energy.
• 74% report higher productivity and focus since using OpenUp.
• 75% feel more open discussing mental well-being at work, which builds a positive company culture.

Britt: “These numbers confirm what we see every day: when people feel heard quickly, their sense of control and motivation grows. That’s essential for recovery.”

In short, getting mental health support quickly lowers stress, builds resilience, improves productivity, and helps people enjoy work more.

Case Study 1: DEPT® Agency: Well-being as a Core Part of Culture

DEPT®, a leading digital agency, has strengthened its culture by integrating OpenUp into its daily routine.

Letitia Louwerse, Head of People & Culture at DEPT® NL shares:

“Our goal with OpenUp is to help all Depsters feel happy. What we really like about OpenUp is how accessible and anonymous it is; anyone can schedule a session with a certified psychologist at any time.”

Since the platform’s launch 2.5 years ago, 27% of employees use it regularly, with a satisfaction rate of 9.7/10.

Managers learn to spot signs of stress and burnout, and how to talk openly about mental well-being.

The result is a workplace where people talk openly about mental health and employees feel supported and balanced.

Case Study 2: ChannelEngine: Resilience in Times of Growth

At ChannelEngine, a fast-growing e-commerce scale-up, mental health is a key part of their people strategy.

Tessa Knijnenburg, People & Culture Business Partner, highlights the importance of a holistic approach to support employees’ well-being, with a special focus on preventing burnout.

CEO Jorrit Steinz shares his personal view:

“During times of change and growth, it’s crucial for employees to have access to psychologists and lifestyle experts. This helps our team stay mentally fit and better handle change.”

The result is a workplace where well-being and performance go together, with a flexible and people-focused approach.

Take the First Step With OpenUp Today

With OpenUp, employees can talk to a psychologist right away. No waiting, no hassle, just real conversations with someone who gets it.

“You’re welcome with me and my colleagues,” says Britt. “A first session could be the start of more calm, clarity, and resilience, exactly when you need it.”

Want to see how fast mental health support can help? Book a demo or learn more about how we work.

More than 2,000 organisations, including KPMG, McDonald’s, C&A, and DEPT, already trust OpenUp to support mental well-being at work.

Everyone deserves mental health support when they need it.