More adults have been affected by mental health in recent years — and they have also been more open about their struggles. By providing mental health benefits, employers can make workers feel more valued, and create long-term benefits for an organization's bottom line.
"When we think about burnout as being predictive of all of these costly problems to an employer, it makes us look at what are the most efficient areas for employers to intervene to reduce burnout, and we know it's work life," Joe Grasso, Lyra's vice president of workforce transformation, recently told EBN's Alyssa Place. "Getting the employer on board with the idea that if you solve how excess stress is making work life inefficient, you unlock more efficiency and better employee well-being."
A report from Guardian focuses on the mental health issues occurring in the United States, as part of their 13th annual Workplace Benefits Study. The report examines how mental health varies across generations, what mental health care programs and benefits are offered in the workplace, top sources of stress and more.
Read more: 5 benefits for your workplace wellness strategy
According to the report, just 36% of workers reported their emotional health as excellent or very good, down from 49% in 2018. Additionally, just 23% of Gen Z workers reported their emotional health is excellent or very good, compared to 46% of baby boomers.
Respondents noted financial issues as top stressors, with the economy, cost of living, and inflation as the top source of stress at 49%, and short-term finances and retirement savings ranking right behind at 48%. Other noted stressors include paying off debt (37%), work responsibilities (28%) and housing costs (26%).
Offering mental health benefits at work and showing support for employees' mental health can help with employee retention, with 85% of respondents who believe their company cares about their well-being noting that they are happy at their current jobs. The Guardian report also reveals that 37% of employers offer mental health resources through a medical insurance plan and 36% offer employee assistance programs.
Read more about how mental health benefits employee ROI.
