This SAMHSA report, prepared by the Lewin Group, synthesizes the experiences of seven large employers that offer generous mental health benefits to their employees. Representatives of these employers shared their views and experiences in a one-day focus group meeting.

From the report:

Given tight labor conditions, attracting and retaining high-quality employees is a significant challenge. Salary alone is not sufficient to entice new employees. Instead, employers must prove that they value employee well-being. Generous mental health benefits demonstrate an overall corporate dedication to employee wellness. This is a key component in helping employers recruit the best employees, retain them, and maximize their productivity.

All participants use benchmarks of peer employers in designing their benefit plans. Providing comprehensive mental health benefits reflects a corporate desire to excel in comparison to similar companies. A variety of industry-specific pressures can also influence the level of employee benefits. For example, a pharmaceutical company cannot maintain credibility if it asserts the need for psychotropic medication, but denies the significance of mental health care for its employees.

Full report: Administering Generous Mental Health Benefits: Opinions of Employers (PDF | 2.07 MB)

US Department of Health and Human Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Center for Mental Health Services. (2001).   Administering generous mental health benefits: opinions of employers.