Employers See Employee Mental Health as Major Concern

Employee mental health has become a serious issue in the workplace and employers are increasingly likely to recognize not only the costs but also how the stigma surrounding mental illness is an obstacle to treatment.

A study from The Hartford found that 70% of U.S. employers now recognize that employee mental health is a significant workplace issue, up from 59% in June 2020. In addition, 31% said the strain on employee mental health is having a severe or significant financial impact on their company–an 11-point increase from March 2020

However, 72% of employers said the stigma associated with mental illness prevents workers from seeking help, according to The Hartford’s 2021 Future of Benefits Study, which polled U.S. workers and human resource benefit decision-makers.

Among the study’s findings:

• 52% of employers said they are experiencing significant or severe workplace issues due to substance misuse or addiction among employees, up from 36% in March 2020.
• 27% of employees said they struggle with depression or anxiety most days or a few times a week, up from 20% in March 2020.
• 72% of U.S. employers said burnout is a significant issue at their workplace.
• 61% of employees have privacy concerns about sharing mental health information with their employer/co-workers.
• 79% of employers believe they have an open and inclusive environment that encourages a dialogue about mental health, but only 52% of workers agree.
• 80% of employers said their company culture has been more accepting of mental health challenges in the past year, but only 59% of workers agree.