In a groundbreaking move to improve behavioral health outcomes, Spring Health has partnered with 2Morrow Health to integrate 2Morrow’s evidence-based smoking cessation program into the Spring Health platform. This collaboration brings a holistic, behavioral science-driven approach to helping individuals quit tobacco—an effort especially crucial for those struggling with co-occurring mental health conditions.
The Smoking Epidemic: A Persistent Challenge
Despite decades of public health campaigns, smoking remains a significant public health issue. Nearly 30 million adults in the United States continue to smoke tobacco, contributing to preventable diseases and premature deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the country, with an economic burden exceeding $600 billion annually in healthcare costs, lost productivity, and premature mortality.
For smokers themselves, the financial and health toll is staggering. On average, a person who smokes incurs costs upward of $1.4 million over their lifetime due to cigarettes, medical expenses, and reduced earnings. Meanwhile, employers face an average annual increase of $5,800 in healthcare and productivity losses per smoking employee.
Why Tobacco Cessation and Mental Health Must Go Hand-in-Hand
A critical dimension of this crisis is the strong overlap between tobacco use and mental health challenges. Research shows that individuals living with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are significantly more likely to smoke—often at higher rates and with greater difficulty quitting than the general population.
Sean Bell, General Manager of Behavioral Health at Spring Health, highlights this overlap: “People with depression and anxiety utilize tobacco at a much higher percentage. Often, there’s a higher comorbidity with tobacco among the populations we work with, so we wanted a best-in-class offering.”
This comorbidity poses unique challenges. People with mental health conditions not only smoke more cigarettes per day but are also more likely to be heavily addicted and relapse after quitting. Addressing tobacco use in isolation is unlikely to be effective without simultaneously supporting underlying mental health conditions.
2Morrow Health’s Holistic Smoking Cessation Program
2Morrow Health, based in Kirkland, Washington, offers a digital health platform with proven programs in coping and self-care, tobacco cessation, and weight control. Their tobacco cessation program stands out for its holistic approach, blending behavioral science with personalized coaching and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to support lasting quitting success.
Key features include:
- Behavioral Coaching: Users receive personalized support from trained coaches who help them develop strategies to overcome cravings, manage triggers, and stay motivated.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): To ease the physical withdrawal symptoms, participants can use NRT products like nicotine patches or gum. Employers can opt to include NRT with their program access, and Spring Health strongly recommends this evidence-based approach.
- Stress and Weight Management: Recognizing that quitting tobacco often triggers weight gain and stress, the program offers tools and coaching focused on managing these challenges, increasing the chances of long-term success.
Jo Masterson, CEO of 2Morrow Health, emphasizes the strength of their model: “While 2Morrow’s clinically tested programs already blend behavioral science, coaching, and NRT to aid quitting, this collaboration enables our coaches to seamlessly connect participants with additional mental health services.”
Integration with Spring Health: A Seamless, Comprehensive Solution
Spring Health, a comprehensive mental health platform that serves over 4,500 employers and health plans—including major names like General Mills, Bain, and Instacart—has quickly become a leader in employee mental wellness. After raising $71 million in April 2023, pushing its valuation to $2.5 billion, the company continues to expand its offerings.
Now, through this partnership, Spring Health patients can not only access 2Morrow’s tobacco cessation coaching but also have the option to work with Spring therapists for co-occurring mental health concerns. This dual access ensures that both the behavioral and psychological aspects of tobacco use are addressed in a coordinated manner.
Additionally, the smoking cessation program supports multiple modes of engagement, from user-friendly digital tools to personal phone coaching, making it accessible and convenient for a wide range of users.
Why This Matters for Employers and Employees
Employers stand to gain significantly from offering effective tobacco cessation programs. Beyond the obvious health benefits for employees, quitting smoking reduces absenteeism, improves productivity, and lowers healthcare costs.
“Tobacco cessation is what I would call a no-brainer in a benefits package,” says Sean Bell. “Our employers are trying to figure out what challenges they can address now. We think offering smoking cessation alongside mental health care is the right thing to do.”
Moreover, tobacco cessation programs offer one of the highest returns on investment (ROI) in behavioral health benefits, making them an essential tool in comprehensive employee wellness strategies.
Tackling Health Equity: Addressing Disparities in Tobacco Use
Certain populations, such as blue-collar workers and nurses, are disproportionately affected by tobacco use, turning smoking cessation into a health equity issue. Many smokers face barriers to care, including underinsurance and varying insurance benefits, which limit access to effective cessation tools.
Sean Bell points out that “people who smoke do not all have enough access to care because care offerings vary so much based on different types of insurance and because many people are under-insured.”
By integrating this smoking cessation program into a widely accessible mental health platform like Spring Health, this partnership can help bridge care gaps and extend support to underserved groups.
Clinical Validation and Future Directions
A major strength of 2Morrow’s smoking cessation program is its evidence base. Unlike some programs that measure success by engagement or participation alone, 2Morrow has conducted multiple randomized controlled trials that demonstrate effective quit rates.
This rigorous clinical validation is essential to ensure that users are genuinely quitting tobacco and achieving improved health outcomes.
Looking ahead, the partnership sets a new standard for integrated behavioral health solutions, providing a model for how mental health and addiction services can work hand-in-hand.
Expanding Spring Health’s Behavioral Health Ecosystem
The 2Morrow collaboration is the latest in a series of strategic expansions for Spring Health. In recent months, the company announced partnerships with Highmark Health and Eleanor Health, alongside launching new programs for eating disorder treatment and specialized care for teenagers.
This continued growth underscores Spring Health’s commitment to providing holistic, high-quality mental health care that meets the evolving needs of employers and their workforce.
Conclusion
Smoking remains a stubborn public health challenge, especially among those with mental health conditions. The new partnership between Spring Health and 2Morrow Health offers a comprehensive, scientifically validated smoking cessation program that addresses the behavioral, psychological, and physical aspects of quitting tobacco.
By integrating smoking cessation coaching, nicotine replacement therapy, and mental health support into one seamless platform, this collaboration enhances the chances of lasting success for individuals while providing significant benefits for employers.
For organizations seeking to improve employee well-being and reduce healthcare costs, offering this integrated smoking cessation program through Spring Health is a forward-thinking, evidence-based investment in their workforce.
If your company is interested in learning more about how to implement this innovative smoking cessation program, Spring Health and 2Morrow Health provide a proven path toward healthier, more productive employees and a stronger workplace.
