Two group benefits insurance companies have announced that they will sponsor a new, online-based, mental wellbeing program, to allow the service to be accessed free-of-charge by everyone, not just plan members.

Both Pacific Blue Cross and SSQ Insurance are contributing funds to BEACON’s Stronger Minds program, which was created by a team of clinical psychologists to help Canadians in this time of distress.

The program features not only expert guidance from psychologists, but also shares personal perspectives from celebrities such as Canadian Olympic rower Silken Laumann and TSN sports commentator Michael Landsberg. It is also not all about mental health, as the program also features physical wellbeing guidance from GoodLife Fitness.

Pacific Blue Cross noted its sponsorship of the Stronger Minds program coincides with Canadian Mental Health Week, and that the sponsorship is the company’s way to aid its clients in British Columbia.

“This year’s [Canadian Mental Health Week] theme is social connection—something we’re all struggling with to some degree during the pandemic,” said Pacific Blue Cross president and CEO John Crawford. “We know this is a challenging time and encourage all British Columbians who need support with their mental health to access the resources that are available.”

SSQ Insurance said in its own release that the sponsorship is a natural progression of its current partnership with BEACON, the digital therapy service, and MindBeacon Group, the developers of BEACON.

“We are already a BEACON partner, offering its digital cognitive behavioural therapy services,” said SSQ Insurance senior vice-president of strategy and product management Eric Trudel. “And now SSQ Insurance has decided to join forces with the Stronger Minds program and contribute to the development of this innovative tool, which meets a real need in society, given the new reality we are currently facing.”

Read more: SSQ Insurance to offer digital cognitive behavioural therapy

Trudel also noted that the support of sponsors like SSQ Insurance allows BEACON to continue offering Stronger Minds free of charge to the entire Canadian population.

Read more: Green Shield Canada contributes $500,000 to support pandemic-affected communities

Last month, another group benefits insurer – Green Shield Canada – announced its sponsorship of BEACON’s Stronger Minds program by pledging some money to the cause.