Why Business Leaders Must Prioritize Mental Health Support in Business Travel Risk Plans

As business travel continues to evolve, many employers are revisiting their travel risk plans — but not all are addressing a critical gap: mental health.

Today’s employees face not only physical risks when traveling for work, but also emotional challenges like stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Yet mental well-being is often missing from corporate travel strategies.

In a Forbes article, Dr. Tracy Brower, explains that companies investing in both physical and emotional employee wellbeing see measurable results (Brower, 2023). A meta-analysis from the University of California, Riverside found that such investments led to a 5% boost in productivity. Even more compelling? Every dollar spent on wellness programs returned $3.27 in healthcare savings and $2.73 in reduced absenteeism.¹ As today’s workforce takes to the skies, emotional health needs to travel with them.

The Overlooked Risk: Mental Health on the Road

According to a survey commissioned by Berkley Accident and Health of 1,000 U.S. employees who travel for business at least once per year, mental health support is no longer optional:

• 87% of respondents said that having easy access to mental health services while traveling is “important” or “very important.”
• 50% reported that they needed to access mental health services during a business trip.
• Younger employees (ages 18–44) placed even higher value on having 24/7 access to mental health support while traveling.

Beyond access, the survey revealed some of the top stressors affecting traveling employees today:

• Being away from family and friends (39%)
• Loneliness (37%)
• Cost of trip/expenses (37%)
• Lack of sleep (36%)
• Personal safety concerns (31%)

Business travelers aren’t just managing logistics — they’re managing serious emotional strain. That’s why employers must prioritize their duty of care, ensuring travelers are supported and protected throughout their journeys. Providing comprehensive Business Travel Accident (BTA) insurance is a key part of this responsibility, helping to ease stress and demonstrate genuine concern for employee well-being.

A Shift from Physical Risk to Total Well-Being

Historically, travel risk plans have focused on physical threats: accidents, illnesses, lost passports, and emergencies. But today’s reality demands more.

“With the increasing awareness of mental health, companies must take proactive steps in supporting their employees’ mental well-being, especially when they are traveling for work,” says Brad Nieland, President and CEO of Berkley Accident and Health. “Our survey highlights the critical need for accessible mental health services and provides a roadmap for employers to better support their traveling employees.”

Comprehensive plans should now address both medical care for physical concerns and behavioral care for mental health needs. It’s not just about offering resources, it’s about making sure they are accessible, timely, and easy to use while traveling.

What Employees Say They Need Most

When asked what mental health services would be most important to have while traveling, business travelers identified the following as some of the most valuable:

• Stress management (43%)
• Sleep management (40%)
• Anger management (39%)
• Depression and anxiety management (30%)

Additionally, the need for 24/7 access to care was emphasized across all age groups, with younger employees placing especially strong importance on immediate availability.

“Travel inherently involves stress, from planning to navigating unfamiliar environments and dealing with potential disruptions. This stress can trigger or worsen existing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression,” explains Nick Crane, Vice President of Business Development – Specialty Accident at Berkley Accident and Health. “Knowing what to do when experiencing mental health issues should be a top priority. It empowers individuals to take proactive steps in their own recovery and well-being, ultimately leading to a healthier and happier life.”

Steps Employers Can Take Today

Berkley Accident and Health’s 2025 Mental Health Matters to Business Travelers report outlines several key strategies for employers looking to better protect traveling employees:

• Audit the accessibility of current mental health services and ensure employees know how to access them from anywhere.
• A proactive plan in place for employers to address mental health care for their employees — whether in the office or traveling for business — to prevent or minimize urgent situations.
• Strengthen BTA insurance for employees and make sure it includes 24/7 emergency travel assistance services.
• Communicate early and often about mental health benefits, integrating support information into employee orientation and travel policies.
• Promote a positive mental health culture from leadership down, especially as mental well-being becomes increasingly important to the emerging workforce.

By embedding mental health into travel risk management, employers can reduce emergencies, improve employee satisfaction, and foster a more resilient workforce. For global travelers, it’s also important to have an international partner equipped to respond around the clock. As a leader in the field, Healix provides emergency medical, security, and travel support services to individuals covered by Berkley Accident and Health’s Business Travel, Participant Accident, and Student Accident insurance programs.

Moving Forward

Mental health doesn’t stay behind when employees travel — and neither should employer support. Now is the time for businesses to evolve their travel strategies to meet the realities of today’s workforce.

Download the full 2025 Mental Health Matters to Business Travelers report to learn more about the trends and actionable takeaways for employers.

Read the Full Report →

¹ Brower, T. (Feb. 28, 2023). Mental Health Delivers Big Business Benefits: 3 Strategies For Success. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2023/02/28/mental-health-delivers-big-business-benefits-3-strategies-for-success/

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