Workforce State of Mind
How mental health challenges in the workplace demand more resources and investment
Twenty percent of people in the US (50 million) are living with a mental health condition.1 Reasons for mental health challenges abound — the aftermath of dealing with COVID-19-related illness and death, frequent and random gun violence in public transportation and schools, the threat of inflation, and much more.
This archived material is for informational purposes only; the information provided was accurate at the time of publication but may no longer be current.
The workforce is in need of their organizations’ investment in mental health resources, and over the last five years, employers have doubled their efforts. It’s a positive trend in the right direction, but there is plenty of room to improve.
Read on to learn how employers who invest in mental health resources discover quantifiable results.
Employee burnout rates are higher than ever
Among workers who are concerned about their mental health, 75% cite burnout as their biggest mental health challenge, up from 55% only six months prior.
Room for improvement
Seventy-three percent of employers believe they do an excellent job of addressing workforce mental health. However, only 46% of employees say their organization offers adequate emotional health support. And of those who reported a mental health issue in the last 2 years, only 41% agree.
The impact of mental health support on workforce loyalty and satisfaction
Empathy | Of those who say their organization offers adequate mental health support, 76% believe their company cares about them and their well-being. |
Retention | 52% of workers who say their organization offers mental health support say they want to stay at their current jobs for 10+ years. |
Job satisfaction | 75% of employees who work at organizations with high levels of mental health support are happy at their jobs. |
For organizations that do not offer adequate mental health support, the differences are striking. Read more in the Workforce State of Mind report.
Stay at the forefront
Looking for more research, resources, and insights? Visit Guardian Edge to stay informed of the latest industry trends.
Unless otherwise noted, all data is sourced from Guardian’s 10th Annual Workplace Benefits Study, 2021.
1 Mental Health America, 2022
2 Mental Wellness & the Great Resignation: What employers need to know, Webinar Polling Question #2, February 9, 2022.
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation.
Material discussed is meant for general informational purposes only.
Mental wellness benefits discussed herein are provided by Spring Care, Inc., d/b/a Spring Health (“Spring Health”), 251 Park Avenue, South, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10010. Spring Health is not an insurance benefit. Insured products are offered by The Guardian Life Insurance Company, New York, N.Y. (“Guardian”) which has a financial interest in Spring Health. Spring Health may not be offered through Guardian in all states.
GUARDIAN® is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.®