Rising stress levels, anxiety and depression all contribute to the growing issues of workplace mental health. In 2019, the World Health Organization found that some 19% of working adults were diagnosed with a mental disorder. Post-pandemic, that number has risen to 25%. The mental well-being of employees impacts company productivity, morale, turnover rates and absenteeism, all issues that need to be addressed for the overall health of the company and its employees.
Employees are starting to recognize the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace. According to a 2023 SelectSoftware Reviews study, nearly a quarter of U.S. office workers reported facing high levels of stress in their jobs, with 39% indicating moderate stress levels. Deadlines, pressure from managers and coworkers, job uncertainty and high workloads all are contributing factors. And these factors lead to burnout and stress, which lead to poor job performance.
Business response
Employers have responded to declining employee mental health by taking positive steps toward bringing work-life issues into balance. Examples of these measures include mental health days or weeks, four-day workweeks and expanded counseling benefits. Major companies are currently investing time and money in creating a working environment where mental wellness is a priority. Among these industry leaders are Unilever, Johnson & Johnson and Samsung. To date, Unilever has trained over 4,000 employees worldwide as "mental health champions" designated as the first line of defense in identifying employees who are struggling with mental health issues. These champions can make recommendations referring their colleagues to mental health professionals.
In the case of Samsung, employees have access to mental health care at a counseling center during the workday. Employees can take advantage of online and in-person activities such as mindfulness meditation, body scan meditation and breathing meditation to restore mental clarity and balance. These industry leaders have not only improved the lives of their employees but also have secured the overall success of their companies.
Employers need to build trust with their workforce by understanding the many roles and stressors that their employees juggle, both at and outside work. To this end, some companies have given employees autonomy as to where and how work is performed. Family-friendly policies such as hybrid work schedules, flexible start and end times, and respect for the boundary between work and home all are ways to reduce employee stress.
One of the biggest hurdles to overcome in treating mental health is the stigma associated with having mental health issues in the first place. Employees may be hesitant to reveal their struggles to their employer and choose to "tough it out" instead. One expert, Leah Weiss, a Stanford University-based researcher and teacher, has written the following regarding mental health stigma: "The most crucial step in creating a culture that supports mental health is to frame mental wellness as a process that requires active engagement for everyone throughout their lifespan. People who struggle with maintaining mental health are no different from us; they are us. We all need to engage with mental/physical well-being efforts throughout our lives." What is needed is for companies to normalize mental health issues so that employees feel empowered to reach out and seek help.
Helping employees
Mental health care is becoming a key part of employee benefits. While many companies have stepped up to offer mental health support to their employees, there is still a long way to go for others. It is reported that about a quarter of employees are unsure about what mental health resources are made available to them by their employers. Employers that fail to make mental health care a part of their benefits package will find it difficult to attract and retain top talent.
The bottom line is that addressing mental health concerns is good for business. There is a cost to companies that do not provide resources. Companies with stressed or depressed employees without mental health care eventually see increases in their medical costs as well as higher turnover rates. In the long run, employees will seek employment with companies that prioritize mental health. It only makes good business sense to make employees' mental health the priority it needs to be.
Copyright 2025 Industry Newsletters
