Most Occupational Health teams we speak to are under pressure. Services are stretched. Mental health cases are rising. And while organisations are trying to offer more support, the delivery model often gets in the way.

You already know that traditional one-to-one therapy sessions are not always the answer. They can be effective, but they are costly, time-intensive and often inaccessible to the people who need them most. Stigma, scheduling, and waiting lists are still huge barriers.

So what is the alternative?

One option gaining serious ground is asynchronous care – digital mental health support that happens on the user’s own time. That might be through messaging with a coach or therapist, guided self-help tools, or app-based resources that support mental health without relying on live sessions.

It is not just a nice-to-have. It is becoming a strategic lever for employers and Occupational Health leaders in other countries, who need to scale support without blowing the budget.

Why it Matters for OH

Mental health is no longer a side topic in OH. It is a core driver of absence, productivity loss and even clinical risk. But most existing services are built for crisis response, not prevention.

Asynchronous care flips that model. It allows employees to engage earlier, more often and without the friction of finding a time slot or sitting in front of a therapist. That matters when you are trying to intervene before someone is signed off with burnout or facing a grievance process.

And when it works, it keeps cases out of the more expensive and complex end of the system.

The Evidence Behind It

Data from ThoughtFull, a digital mental health provider, shows that:

• Asynchronous tools had a 60 percent take-up rate in selected cohorts. That is significantly higher than traditional in-person therapy, which saw rates as low as 5 to 12 percent.
• Asynchronous care can reduce overall treatment costs by up to 77 percent when escalations are avoided.
• It also lowers the burden on HR and OH teams by giving employees a self-guided, clinically-backed route to care.

Even in more severe cases, asynchronous support acts as a stepping stone that can reduce drop-off and improve engagement when escalation is needed.

What This Means for Hiring

We are starting to see these models filter into role briefs at senior level. Some clients are already asking for clinical leads and heads of wellbeing who understand digital pathways, behaviour change science and how to measure impact in real terms.

This is especially relevant in large national frameworks and NHS supply chains, where contracts increasingly reward proactive and preventative models of care. But it is just as relevant in private sector settings where cost containment and measurable outcomes are now board-level priorities.

If you are hiring someone to shape or lead mental health provision, they need to know more than the NICE guidelines. They need to understand what drives engagement, what tools are out there, and how to build models that work for diverse workforces.

A Word of Caution

Not all digital mental health tools are created equal. Some promise the world and deliver very little. Others are built with strong clinical governance, evidence bases and robust escalation routes.

As a senior leader, you need to ask the same questions of your providers as you do your people. How is data managed? What is the evidence? Who is accountable for outcomes? And does it actually work for your workforce?

Not a Silver Bullet

Asynchronous support is not a silver bullet. But it does offer a credible, scalable and often overlooked way to reach more people earlier. If you are reviewing your OH service model or preparing to bring in new leadership, it is a space worth watching – especially if you are serious about prevention, retention and results.

About Recruiting Heads

Recruiting Heads delivers strategic recruitment for Occupational Health, Wellbeing, H&S and Clinical Governance. Built for people who need results, not just CVs. We partner with leaders who are reshaping the future of corporate healthcare – and the people ready to make that happen.

Source: https://www.thoughtfull.world/