Expert Q&A: How Spring Health supports members

It’s not only because of her job that Sharon Castillo, Director, Benefits at the Board of Pensions, can tell you so much about Spring Health — she’s used Spring Health herself. She recently answered some questions about the Spring Health experience to help members who have medical coverage or have Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) access through the Board better understand how this benefit can best help them.

Sharon, how does taking the digital self-assessment help members get started on their mental well-being journey?

Taking the assessment introduces members to all the ways that Spring Health can support them. It’s quick and easy — and once they complete it, they receive a personalized care plan, with recommendations for coaching, on-demand wellness exercises, therapy sessions, and even medication management, depending on their needs. They also get access to a mental health care navigator, along with names of Spring Health providers that match their criteria.

When members call Spring Health, how can a mental health care navigator assist them?

Spring Health’s care navigators are licensed mental health clinicians who are experts on the ins and outs of mental health care. They can review the self-assessment and help with options for care, help with provider searches, answer questions, and provide emotional support. Members can engage with their care navigator as often or as little as they like — and there’s never a cost to members for working with care navigators.

In what other ways does Spring Health provide personalized service?

Besides the self-assessment, which is important for care to be personalized and central to the member’s experience, and care navigation, Spring Health gives members the ability to see provider availability and schedule appointments in real time. And the provider search tool lets them filter by specialty (including faith-based), ethnicity, gender, languages spoken, and session type (in-person or virtual). It’s like OpenTable, but for your mental well‑being!

What is a Spring Health tool that members can easily access on the go or when they’re short on time?

Moments is a great tool that helps members quickly get to the relief or skill building they need. I find it’s always a good way to help focus, relax, and create some good habits. And because these Moments exercises are anywhere from one to five minutes, they truly give members a moment during their day to help themselves.

What resources are available for work/life needs?

Spring Health’s online work/life support resources are available 24/7 to help members get answers to questions on legal and financial topics, like home buying and selling, estate planning, divorce, custody, landlord/tenant issues, and more. They can also get help with managing major work/life events, such as adoptions, child and elder care needs, or moving/relocating, as well as finding local services like gyms, home repairs, and pet sitters.

In addition to therapy sessions, what Spring Health resources would you like people to know about?

Through the Spring Health platform, members aged 18 and older can access a Neurodiversity Hub for tailored support through specialized therapy, coaching, and tools to help individuals and families thrive.

I also hope members will take advantage of Spring Health’s well-being coaching. You don’t have to have a mental health problem or diagnosis to work with a coach. Coaching programs can help with personal development, career growth, parenting, sleep habits, nutrition, and more. I’ve used a coach to help with nutrition guidance and it is a game changer. It’s about building better habits that support holistic well‑being.

Don’t wait to find out more about Spring Health for yourself. Support for your mental well-being is just a click or call away:

Members with medical coverage, visit care.springhealth.com/sign_in or download the app from the Apple or Google app store.

If you’re eligible for the EAP but do not have medical coverage, call 844-931-4465 and use the code BOP.