Over 50% of Canadians suffer from symptoms of insomnia.¹ Sleep deprivation has an immediate impact on your mood, your general well-being and, of course, your productivity at work. What if your benefits could help you manage this personal and organizational challenge? 

The Ravages of Sleep Deprivation... And Some Solutions

Did you know that after being awake for 17 hours straight, you have the same impaired cognitive abilities as someone with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05, and after 24 consecutive hours, you have the equivalent of a BAC of 0.10?² It’s a disturbing finding, especially when we know that in some professions, a person’s state of wakefulness and alertness can mean the difference between life and death. In general, people may need help managing their sleep if they:

• Have difficulty falling asleep, wake up frequently during the night or wake up too early in the morning and aren’t able to go back to sleep
• Suffer from anxiety or depression, as these conditions are strongly linked to sleep disorders
• Work nights or irregular hours and have difficulty maintaining a stable, restorative sleep schedule
• Are a professional or first responder who works in stressful environments and often experiences sleep-related challenges

In today’s world, employees and employers alike are looking for solutions to prevent sleep disorders and, when they do occur, to treat them effectively and sustainably. This is where cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can come in. AGA plan members can access it through HALEO, a partner supplier that offers CBT-I among other services, and is part of the AGA Exclusive Benefits for Members program.

Proven Virtual Therapy

HALEO is a company offering practical solutions to combat sleep disorders and maintain a safe work environment. HALEO’s multidisciplinary care team is dedicated to the detection and treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders, including insomnia related to atypical schedules and nightmares. Their CBT-I program is short term, usually lasting five to six sessions, and includes a 2-year support plan to prevent relapses. Weekly 30-minute sessions are held with a licensed therapist, and support is provided through a mobile app. 

A sleep assessment and pre-consultation call are offered free of charge to those interested. HALEO will then establish the program, the number of sessions required and the associated costs before any commitment on the part of the patient. Within weeks, HALEO therapy participants see a significant improvement in their condition. Based on clinical results, 9 out of 10 patients experience an improvement in insomnia symptoms after participating in a HALEO program.

What Perks Are Available Through AGA?

AGA plan members have access to exclusive preferred pricing for sessions with HALEO. For more details, to start the no-cost part of the HALEO process and to obtain the discount, plan members must access the AGA Exclusive Benefits for Members tile in the Members Portal.

There aren’t any associated costs for employers if employees opt to take advantage of this therapy.

• If you’re an AGA plan member, visit your Members Portal to find out more and take action now.
• If you’re an administrator of an AGA plan, contact your AGA advisor to discuss how you can promote Exclusive Benefits for Members in your company.
• If you’re a company looking to offer innovative benefits to support your employees and your organization’s success, please contact us.

More About HALEO

In 2015, HALEO became the first North American provider of virtual sleep programs designed to help people go back to sound sleep. HALEO’s experts help individuals and companies that are looking to achieve healthy sleep. They have worked directly with over 10,000 individuals and, through partner organizations, have reached and informed over 150,000 employees.

More Details About the AGA Exclusive Benefits for Members Program

AGA’s Exclusive Benefits for Members program, which was launched in late 2024, enables plan administrators to offer their members discounts on products and services related to overall health, which includes physical, mental, and financial health. These discounts are exclusive for AGA plan members, which is an attractive added value for employers who want to stand out without any financial repercussions for the company. Plan members have access to a range of service providers who are pre-selected by AGA to offer services that complement their group benefits, are designed to meet the specific needs of each individual and are available à la carte.

¹ Robillard et al. (2021). Profiles of sleep changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: Demographic, behavioural and psychological factors. J Sleep Res.

² Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research, 2006. Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.