Lyra Deutschland wins quality seal “Beste Gesundheitsdienstleister 2025”

Guidance in the maze of healthcare providers

Employee health is increasingly becoming the focus of attention for employers. However, with so many offers available, it is difficult to choose a suitable service provider. As a leading business magazine, WirtschaftsWoche therefore commissioned the market research institute ServiceValue to conduct a survey of almost 40,000 customers. The experiences with 290 service providers from 15 categories were put to the test.

Lyra (formerly ICAS) Deutschland was awarded the seal of quality ‘Beste Gesundheitsdienstleister 2025’ (Best Healthcare Providers) in the category of Occupational Health Management (OHM). This is a further proof of the company’s high level of service and ongoing commitment to mental health with their Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Psychological support for employees and managers

Founded in 1987 and successfully operating in Germany for over 20 years, Lyra – formerly ICAS – offers qualified psychological support for employees and managers by telephone 24/7 as well as personal counselling sessions close to home or work. Online counselling is also possible.

Effective support for companies

Employers benefit from webinars, crisis intervention and targeted support for internal communication. Digital tools make it easier to access the service, offering a wide range of articles and videos on mental health, thus supporting early prevention and making it easy to use the counselling services. Certified processes and high data protection standards ensure absolute confidentiality.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for companies of all sizes – also on an international scale

Numerous companies from start-ups to large international corporations, public authorities and institutions already use the counselling services offered in the scope of Lyra’s Employee Assistance Program, which includes counselling in multiple languages and across borders.

Find out more about the WirtschaftsWoche award.

Lyra Deutschland once again honoured as Top Brand Corporate Health

For the fifth consecutive year, Lyra Deutschland GmbH – formerly ICAS Deutschland GmbH – has received the Top Brand Corporate Health Award. This award, presented by EUPD Research, recognises service providers in the field of Corporate Health Management (BGM). Once again, Lyra Deutschland GmbH demonstrates its commitment to quality and innovation in providing Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).

A Quality Seal in Corporate Health Management 

The increasing complexity of modern health strategies requires reliable partners with in-depth expertise. This is where the Top Brand Corporate Health seal comes in: it helps companies to find their way around the wide range of corporate health management options and to identify outstanding service providers. The award is based on independent nominations from CHM experts in business, science, health insurance companies and associations, followed by a final audit led by Professor Dr Volker Nürnberg.

Lyra Deutschland: A Trusted Partner for Workplace Mental Health

As one of the leading international providers of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), Lyra helps companies to strengthen the mental health of their employees. Given the increasing challenges of higher productivity demands, constant availability, the blurring of professional and personal life, the rise of hybrid work models, and advancing digitalisation, EAPs are becoming more important than ever.

With an innovative and international service portfolio, Lyra Deutschland offers its clients:

  • 24/7 telephone counselling by experienced psychological professionals
  • Multicultural and multilingual support via phone, live chat, video, or in-person consultations
  • Additional services in legal and financial advisory
  • Extended family services to improve work-life balance
  • The highest data protection and service standards for reliable and confidential support
  • Global operations: optimal support for businesses with multiple international locations

A Strong Commitment to Mental Strength and Well-being

The health and well-being of employees play a central role in the success of a company. Being recognised once again as a Top Brand Corporate Health shows that Lyra Deutschland GmbH contributes to establishing healthy structures in companies with practical and sustainable solutions. The continuing increase in mental stress in society is also reflected in everyday working life. The award highlights the importance of professional support services to help employees in challenging times and to strengthen their mental health.

For more information about our award and to access our profile, click here: 👉 Lyra Deutschland GmbH Profile at EUPD Research

ICAS Top Brand Corporate Health Service Provider 2023

For the third year in a row, ICAS is among the best service providers in the healthcare sector

The Top Brand Corporate Health award is the hallmark of Germany’s best service providers in the field of extended corporate health management. On the basis of independent nominations by renowned companies with certified occupational health management (OHM) and an external auditing, the EUPD Research institute has been awarding prizes since to those service providers who can convince through practical orientation and high quality processes. This proof of quality provides HR professionals and decision-makers with an important indicator in their search for a suitable and reliable partner for corporate healthcare services.

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a reliable and proven measure to identify psychological stress among employees at an early stage and to reduce it in a sustainable manner. As one of the leading international EAP providers, ICAS 2023 was awarded as “Top Brand Corporate Health Service Provider” for the third time in a row.

Mental health programs are becoming more important

Providing psychological support for employees and managers has become increasingly important in recent years. Technological change, increased workload and home office have made our professional lives more challenging. Work and private spheres are increasingly blurred, and stress levels are on the rise. In order to remain an attractive and sustainable employer in these times, measures to maintain the mental health of employees are becoming increasingly important.

With a modern EAP (Employee Assistance Program), employers set the foundation for valuable support. Employees get fast and easy support around the clock in difficult and stressful situations. And this support is provided with a high level of professionalism and maximum discretion. The expertise and professionalism of the psychological consultants at ICAS were among the many criteria that led to the company being awarded the title of “Top Brand Corporate Service Provider”.

What makes ICAS stand out as an EAP service provider

Consistent high standards of customer service and data protection ensure a level of service nationwide and internationally that meets special requirements in the support of employees and managers.

 

Further information about the award (in German)
https://www.presseportal.de/pm/143641/5451518

Ps

Mental health – from problem to solution: ICAS Germany and WE ARE MENTAL join forces

A sharp increase in mental stress among employees has been observed for many years. Corresponding statistics from health insurance companies prompted legislators back in 2013 to pass the Occupational Health and Safety Act (§§ 4 & 5), requiring all companies to identify mental health risk factors and initiate appropriate measures.

Technically, a mental health risk assessment differs little from comparable tasks in occupational health. However, it often presents HR and health managers with major challenges in terms of implementation, methodology, and deriving suitable measures.

With business-focused psychology expertise and years of coaching experience, the WE ARE MENTAL team supports companies nationwide with tasks outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, such as: needs assessment, internal communication, data collection and analysis, evaluation and documentation of psychological hazards and potentials. The company relies on qualified network partners to recommend suitable measures.

A collaboration with ICAS has now been agreed to provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): In addition to the international and multilingual concept as well as the data protection certification, ICAS convinced with the 24/7 availability of mental health counselors, supplemented by other services such as managerial consultancy and family services.

For additional information, please go to:
www.wearemental.de
www.icas-eap.de

Employee Assistance Program bei Problemen am Arbeitsplatz | ICAS

Employee Assistance Program EAP as an important instrument in occupational prevention

In this article in the “Mitgliedermagazin des Verbands der Betriebs- und Werksärzte” (Member Magazine of the Association of Occupational Physicians), Christian Weyer, Sales Manager South-East at ICAS Germany, shows how EAP services can be utilized as an important tool in occupational prevention – as an additional external resource for addressing current and future challenges.

EAP and Occupational Health (German only)

Top Brand Corporate Health

EAP provider ICAS 2022 again recognized as “Top Brand Corporate Health Service Provider”

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a proven instrument to sustainably reduce psychological stress among employees. As one of the leading international EAP providers, ICAS 2022 received the “Top Brand Corporate Health Service Provider” award, as it did already in the previous year.

The market research institute EuPD Research awards this title on the basis of nominations by companies with certified health management and independent auditing by the “BDO Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft”.

This proof of quality provides decision-makers with an important criterion for selecting suitable service providers.

The special range of services offered by ICAS includes multinational and multilingual psychological counseling for employees around the clock, additional legal and family counseling, a wide variety of training courses offered within the ICAS Academy, a nationwide network of cooperating psychotherapists, and the highest standards in data protection (including SQS certification Good Priv@cy).

For more information on the award please visit (in German):
https://www.presseportal.de/pm/143641/5147656

Certificate ICAS

Die psychischen Nebenwirkungen der Pandemie

Psychological side effects of the pandemic – Findings by EAP provider ICAS emerging from their counseling

Download article as pdf

The fact that the pandemic has a negative effect on our mental health has by now been sufficiently proven by various studies and scientific articles. This trend can also be clearly seen in day-to-day counseling provided by ICAS. As an EAP provider, ICAS offers employees 24/7 psychological and emotional support, as well as legal advice. Specifically, the number of complex cases that required face-to-face counseling sessions with a psychotherapist increased by 60% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in the previous year.

Significant increase in work-related stress

Big changes were felt particularly as far as workload was concerned. These cases increased dramatically by 105% in comparison with the same period of last year.

Cases where employees suffered from work-related stress saw an increase of 32% and cases of burnout also grew by 63%. The only downward trend in the workplace were conflicts, which, in years gone by, were actually the most frequently mentioned work-related topic. The pandemic, and more specifically its effects on work life, especially the home office, seems to have changed the way people experience and handle stress considerably.  

There are numerous reasons for this:

  • Working times have increased – subconsciously in many cases – because disengaging from work is more difficult in a home office situation.
  • Employees are now entirely responsible for structuring their day, whereas this was previously determined much more by colleagues and processes.
  • According to research recently conducted by LinkedIn, 20% of respondents feel more under pressure to reply to emails quicker than before.
  • No or too few breaks: Even if it does not seem to make sense to have to slow down to become faster – taking regular breaks can improve mental health significantly, reduce the risk of burnout, and increase productivity.
  • No longer seeing work colleagues may result in fewer conflicts, but as can be seen by the ICAS analysis results, social contact in the workplace is an important factor that helps in dealing with stress.

Does this mean that the new working world is bad for us?

It depends what you make of it. On the one hand, a home office may lead to more pressure in that we feel we have to be available constantly so as to prove that we are actually working. This results in increased stress levels and is poison for mental health management, which can then severely impact on our work performance.

On the other hand, many employees say they can concentrate better in a home office and thus work more effectively. They feel that they are more productive and also have a better work-life balance. These employees tend to work for management that recognizes how vital the health of their staff is for successful work in the business. Management often plays a key role in preventing stress dynamics and motivating employees to keep up their performance over the long term. What helps as regards home office work, for example, is clear communication of expectations: Are we expected to be available in the evenings as well and to reply to emails, or can we “switch off”?

Managers’ tasks have become more complex

The tasks of managers have grown in complexity and importance. This makes another observation all the more staggering: The percentage of management consulting sessions during the period surveyed between 2020 and 2021 dropped by half. This development suggests that managers were not able to “sense” what employees were feeling in the same way as before because of the remote working situation and therefore were not aware of any increased stress. Another reason could be that managers feel stressed themselves and consequently struggle to find enough time and energy for their employees.

In any event, an outside perspective is extremely important, especially in these times. Discussions with colleagues or a coach help overcome difficult management situations – when dealing with stressed employees, for example.

Pandemic-related increase of personal problems as well

The pandemic has not only changed our work lives but also affected many aspects of our private lives.

Cases resulting from relationship problems have increased by 22% compared to the same period in the previous year. And an increase of 18% has also been recorded in problems with alcohol, drugs, and gambling addiction.

A particularly significant increase was also seen in cases of depression and anxiety, which were 41% higher in the first half of 2021 than in the first six months of 2020. The longer the pandemic is with us, the higher these cases will be, both in terms of numbers and severity.

Although families with school-age children were particularly affected at the start of the pandemic because of home schooling, this has now changed. Noteworthy is that mostly people who live on their own are currently struggling more with the effects of the pandemic than those who share a household with others. This is largely as a result of feeling isolated and lonely.

Influence of management on personal problems

When it comes to personal problems such as these, most managers feel out of their depth. Naturally, managers cannot solve the personal problems of employees. Nonetheless, person-al problems also manifest themselves in day-to-day work by impacting on the performance, which means that they do become relevant for managers. Although it is their duty to ensure the wellbeing of their employees and they should therefore engage with the employee in question, they should take care to separate professional and personal interactions. Mastering this balancing act requires skill, good communication, a clear plan, and sound preparation.
In cases like these, the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) can be a good tool to help ad-dress professional problems that employees may have as a result of private issues. Affected employees are provided professional psychological support around the clock, while managers fulfill their duty of care.

ICAS also offers a range of management training programs that help managers to improve and develop the new skills required.

Download ICAS Academy brochure

 

 

Support your employees and managers through the crisis by offering them our ICAS CAP Crisis Assistance Program

The Covid-19 crisis still affects our everyday life. Uncertainty remains and a return to normality might not be for a while. Many companies are still working remote or have sent their employees back to the home office. In this isolation, employees are often confronted with personal fears, loneliness and insecurity. With the ICAS CAP, you offer your employees orientation and support in difficult private and professional situations. Our experienced counselors are available 24/7 by telephone or live chat. Counseling is 100% anonymous and confidential.

The ICAS CAP Crisis Assistance Program includes:

  • 24/7 counseling and support by phone or live chat for emotional or psychological issues
  • Personal counseling (max. 8 sessions) with a psychotherapist, on site or via a secured video connection
  • Brochure in electronic format (PDF)
  • Introductory video
  • Anonymous final statistics about the use of the service

Price per employee € 18* for a fixed term of 6 months

ICAS CAP+ (optional extra to the offer above)

  • Telephone support for practical and legal questions

Additional cost per employee € 16*

*all prices excl. sales tax

Download ICAS CAP Flyer

ICAS RAP Restart Assistance Program

RAP supports your organization and employees in achieving a successful restart – by helping them help themselves.

ICAS RAP  Restart Assistance Program

Die Corona Pandemie hat in der Gesellschaft und in der Wirtschaft deutliche Spuren hinterlassen. Das Leben ist nicht mehr so, wie wir es gewohnt waren. Dadurch entstehen Stress, Ängste und Blockaden. Um nach dem Lockdown richtig durchzustarten und der drohenden Wirtschaftskrise erfolgreich zu trotzen, benötigen Unternehmen jedoch das ganze Potenzial ihrer Führungskräfte und Belegschaft. Das ICAS RAP Restart Assistance Program unterstützt Ihre Organisation und Ihre Mitarbeitenden beim erfolgreichen Restart – dank der Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe!

RAP für Ihr Unternehmen

Statt der berechenbaren Zeit vor der Krise nachzutrauen, müssen sich Unternehmen in den nächsten Monaten in vielen Bereichen immer wieder neu erfinden. Unternehmensagilität und Kreativität sind wichtiger denn je, um trotz drohender Wirtschaftskrise erfolgreich zu bleiben. Wer dabei auf starke, umsichtige Führungskräfte und gesunde, motivierte Mitarbeitende zählen kann, wird trotz der unsicheren Zeit, die vor uns liegt, durchstarten können. Wir unterstützen Sie dabei, Ihre wichtigste Ressource – Ihre Mitarbeitenden – gesund und leistungsfähig zu erhalten.

RAP für Ihre Führungskräfte

Die neue Arbeitswelt stellt besondere Anforderungen an Führungskräfte: Umgang mit belasteten Mitarbeitern, Führung von virtuellen Teams, Lösen von Widerständen, Innovationsprozesse leiten und dabei noch hoch gesteckte Ziele erreichen – ein idealer Nährboden für arbeitsbedingten Stress. Kommen dann noch private Belastungen dazu, sind die Grenzen schnell erreicht. Um dadurch entstehende Leistungsverluste zu vermeiden, brauchen auch Führungskräfte eine professionelle, unabhängige und anonyme Anlaufstelle, die sie durch die vor uns liegende Zeit coacht.

RAP für Ihre Mitarbeitenden

Mit Veränderungen umzugehen ist nie einfach. Rückkehr aus dem Homeoffice, Zukunftsängste, finanzielle Schwierigkeiten, Beziehungsprobleme und familiäre Sorgen sind Stressoren, die sich nicht nur negativ auf die Gesundheit, das Verhalten und die Leistungsfähigkeit auswirken. Sie verursachen Blockaden, machen apathisch und führen unbehandelt zu krankheitsbedingten Totalausfällen. Geben Sie Ihren Mitarbeitenden die Möglichkeit, sich frühzeitig, selbstbestimmt und völlig anonym Unterstützung bei erfahrenen Psychologen zu holen – um gesund zu bleiben und ihren Beitrag zum Unternehmenserfolg zu leisten.

Das ICAS RAP Restart Assistance Program beinhaltet:

  • 24/7 Beratung und Unterstützung per Telefon oder Live Chat für emotionale und psychologische Anliegen
  • Persönliche Beratungssitzungen (1-8 Sitzungen) bei einem Psychotherapeuten über eine gesicherte Video-Verbindung oder persönlich in der Praxis
  • Informationsbroschüre in elektronischer Form (PDF)
  • Einführungsvideo
  • Anonymisierte Abschlussstatistik über die Benutzung der Dienstleistung
  • 3 Webinare für Führungskräfte zu den folgenden Themen:
    Führen in schwierigen Zeiten – Impulse zur proaktiven Organisationsgestaltung, Agilität, Leadership
    Umgang mit belasteten Mitarbeitern – Frühzeitiges Erkennen, angemessenes Reagieren seitens Vorgesetzten
    Steigern von Kreativität und Optimismus – Was macht erfolgreiche Menschen aus?

Preis pro Mitarbeiter € 18.00* für eine feste Laufzeit von 6 Monaten

ICAS RAP+ (Optionaler Zusatz zum obigen Angebot)

  • Telefonische Unterstützung bei lebenspraktischen und rechtlichen Fragestellungen

Zusatzkosten pro Mitarbeiter € 16.00*

*Alle Preise exkl. MWST

ICAS RAP Flyer herunterladen

 

Coronavirus - ICAS CAP Crisis Assistance Program

CAP Crisis Assistance Program – supports your employees during the coronavirus pandemic

Das ICAS CAP Crisis Assistance Program zur Unterstützung Ihrer Mitarbeiter in Krisenzeiten (Corona) schließt entstehende Lücken und bietet konkrete Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe:

  • CAP gegen die Nachteile von Homeoffice
    Die Arbeit muss auch in der sozialen Isolierung unter geänderten Rahmenbedingungen erledigt werden. Das CAP bietet mittels Austausch von Erfahrungen und praktischen Lösungen jederzeit konkrete Hilfen für diesen individuellen inneren und äußeren Veränderungsprozess.
  • CAP gegen die Nachteile der Ausgangsbeschränkung
    Der Zugang zu Experten des täglichen Lebens ist eingeschränkt und dennoch manchmal unbedingt notwendig. Mittels Telefon, Chat und Video stehen Ihnen im CAP zahlreiche sehr erfahrene Berater stets zur Verfügung und vermitteln konkrete Anleitungen als Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe.
  • CAP gegen die Nachteile der persönlichen Unsicherheit
    Ängste sind in einer Pandemie vollkommen normal. Mit dem CAP können Fragen und/oder Ängste ohne jede zeitliche Beschränkung rund um die Uhr thematisiert werden. Dies gilt auch für alle Personen im Haushalt der Mitarbeiter, weil gerade diese im Homeoffice einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf Ihre Mitarbeiter haben.
  • CAP gegen die Nachteile der inneren Ratlosigkeit
    Jede Pandemie ist zeitlich beschränkt. Das heißt, es gibt eine Zeit danach. Diese Vorausschau und Zuversicht lässt sich im Gespräch mit Experten des CAP eindeutig verstärken und erlaubt wieder eine Konzentration auf die momentane Arbeit.

Das ICAS CAP Crisis Assistance Program zur Unterstützung Ihrer Mitarbeiter in Krisenzeiten (Corona) beinhaltet:

  • 24/7 Beratung und Unterstützung per Telefon oder Live Chat für emotionale und psychologische Anliegen
  • Persönliche Beratungssitzungen (1-8 Sitzungen) bei einem Psychotherapeuten über eine gesicherte Video-Verbindung
  • Informationsbroschüre in elektronischer Form (PDF)
  • Einführungsvideo
  • Anonymisierte Abschlussstatistik über die Benutzung der Dienstleistung

Preis pro Mitarbeiter € 18.00* für eine feste Laufzeit von 6 Monaten

ICAS CAP+ (Optionaler Zusatz zum obigen Angebot)

  • Telefonische Unterstützung bei lebenspraktischen und rechtlichen Fragestellungen

Zusatzkosten pro Mitarbeiter € 16.00*

*Alle Preise exkl. MWST

ICAS CAP Flyer herunterladen

 

Coronavirus - Massnahmen für Unternehmen

ICAS sends factsheet on coronavirus to customers

Coronavirus – Coping with Health-Related Anxiety

On January 31, the World Health Organization officially declared the coronavirus epidemic a global health emergency. It is important that employees and their families are aware of some health basic information.

Signs and Symptoms:
The common earliest symptoms of coronavirus associated respiratory infections are fever, chills, rigors, muscle pains, headache, diarrhea, sore throat and a runny nose but these symptoms may not all be present. This early stage can then be followed by mild to moderate respiratory illness, with a fever above 38°C and cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulty. The majority of people who are infected with the coronavirus develop antibodies to the virus and gradually get better as they eliminate the virus from their bodies. Thus the risk is much higher for individuals who are chronically sick and elderly than in the young.

Transmission:
Transmission of coronavirus from person to person is usually by close contact with an infected individual. Usually transmission occurs when bodily fluids from an infected person come into contact with your eyes, nose or mouth through the infected person coughing or sneezing. Additionally, shaking hands or touching an object with particles on the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes can also cause the virus to spread.

Prevention:
W.H.O. recommends that people wash their hands regularly with soap, cover their mouths
and noses when coughing and sneezing and stay away from people who have signs of respiratory tract infection, such as a runny nose, coughing and sneezing. You can wear a facemask in public areas if you are concerned about risk.

Workplace Support:
As a workplace, you should make provision for employees to practice good hygiene and encourage sick employees to stay at home and seek a medical opinion before returning to work, if they have persistent fever, respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Coping with Health-Related Anxiety:
These developments are likely to cause anxiety and stress for you and your family. Be assured that this is a normal reaction to a danger that seems new and uncontrollable. A general feeling of helplessness and loss of control may arise. Psychological responses could be pessimism and symptoms of depression, a lack of concentration, constant worry about past, present and future and not being able to relax or enjoy life.

But there are ways to manage anxiety and stress:

  • Look at the situation rationally. The coronavirus may be contagious, but panic is far more contagious. Do not let collective fear guide you. Focus on facts and appeal to your rational mind. This will help reduce your fear. Find time to talk to friends. Friends can ease troubles and help us see things in a different way. Often, talking to someone will help you see things from a different and less stressful perspective.
  • Adopt a healthy lifestyle. If we eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and ensure we get adequate sleep and rest our body is better able to cope with stress should it occur.
  • Accept the things you cannot change. Changing a difficult situation is not always possible. If this is the case, recognize and accept things as they are and concentrate on things you do have control over.
  • Know your limitations and do not take on too much. We cause ourselves a great deal of stress because we like people to like us and do not want to let people down. Learn to be assertive so that you can say no without upsetting or offending. This might mean changing your holiday plans or cancelling social engagements.
ICAS Deutschland | Mitarbeiter Training für mentale Stärke

ICAS reinvents the Employee Assistance Program EAP

Up to now, it has been difficult for smaller companies to be included in a counseling and support programme of an EAP provider. ICAS Deutschland GmbH closes this gap with the new service ICAS EAP Pure, which German companies can buy online. Through the straightforward purchase process and the possibility of immediate implementation, companies and employees directly benefit from the advantages of the ICAS Employee Assistance Program. Learn more.