Meeting employees where they’re at: why virtual care matters
Mental Health Week is a timely reminder that access to care matters just as much as the care itself. For many employees, the biggest barrier is not whether support exists. It is whether they can realistically access it.
That is where virtual care and online therapy are changing the conversation.
Across Canada, virtual care benefits plans are evolving to include tools like Maple Virtual Health through Advica, Noojimo, and other digital care platforms as part of broader health and wellness programs designed to better support employees.
Why virtual care plans are growing
The rise of virtual care reflects changing employee expectations and growing gaps in access to care.
According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, one in five Canadians experiences a mental health problem or illness in any given year. At the same time, many people still face long wait times and barriers to accessing support, particularly for mental health services.
Virtual care helps close that gap by offering:
- Flexible appointment options
- Access from home or work
- Faster connections to healthcare professionals
- More privacy and convenience
- Mental health support that fits into daily life
This matters. Employees are balancing work, caregiving, family responsibilities, and busy schedules. Virtual care makes it easier to seek support without adding another layer of stress.
What virtual care benefit plans look like today
Today’s benefits plans are not just about coverage. They are about experience.
Solutions like those offered through Advica allow employees to connect with Canadian-licensed physicians online for medical advice, prescriptions, and referrals. Mental health platforms expand that support further through virtual therapy, wellness tools, and culturally relevant care options.
Programs like Noojimo are helping create more inclusive pathways to support by offering Indigenous-focused mental wellness services. That kind of accessibility matters because employees are not all looking for the same type of care experience.
These tools are part of a broader shift toward virtual care benefits plans that are flexible, responsive, and centred around real employee needs.
Fewer barriers, better support
When care becomes easier to access, employees are more likely to use it.
That can lead to earlier intervention, better overall well-being, and a stronger employee experience. It also helps employers build workplaces where people feel supported, both personally and professionally.
This mindset drives our approach to benefits: making coverage simple, accessible, and tailored to real needs, so clients can feel confident they have the right support in place.
A more human approach to benefits
Virtual care is not about replacing traditional healthcare. It is about expanding access and giving employees more choice in how they receive care.
During Mental Health Week, that message feels especially important. Meaningful support starts with reducing barriers and making care easier to access.
Because when benefits meet employees where they’re at, support becomes more than just coverage. It becomes something people can rely on.
Your better benefits plan awaits
At Westland Benefits, we’re proud to help businesses build flexible benefits programs that support the needs of modern employees, from virtual care and mental health support to broader wellness-focused solutions tailored to each team.
Get in touch with our advisors to build a program that helps retain and reward employees with support they actually care about.
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