Life is full of defining moments—becoming a parent, facing a diagnosis, experiencing loss, or making a life-altering decision. These turning points can take a toll on mental health, physical well-being, and job performance. While mental health awareness has grown, access to timely, high-quality care remains a challenge for many workers today. At the same time, employers are navigating rising health care costs, economic uncertainty, and shifting workforce expectations, making it harder to provide effective support.
To understand the most pressing workforce mental health challenges and opportunities, we surveyed more than 500 HR and benefits leaders and 7,500 employees across six countries: the United States, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Stressed to the max, workers worldwide need better solutions
Stress is the biggest workforce mental health challenge worldwide
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of employees |
of HR and benefits leaders leaders |
Untreated mental health issues cost employers
of employees globally said work-related mental health struggles hurt their job performance
Top work stressors for U.S. workers
For women, the struggle is real—and they’re ready to talk about it
U.S. women face greater mental health challenges than men
High-value mental health benefits give companies a competitive edge
Companies with comprehensive benefits see greater ROI
Mental health care is more accessible—but key barriers persist
More U.S. workers are getting mental health care
But the right provider is still hard to find
Top reasons for changing providers
Scheduling issues or provider unavailable
Provider mismatch with background/preferences
Not covered by health plan
Mental health support is non-negotiable for retaining younger talent
Younger workers face widespread mental health challenges
“Struggling”
“In crisis”
But they're more likely to seek help
And they're prepared to change jobs if support falls short
The employer-employee divide on mental health is narrowing, but gaps remain
More employees feel their employers care
Still, there’s a gap between feeling cared for and real support
of benefits leaders said they offer well-being resources
but only 29% of employees agreed
Get more insights
These findings are just the beginning. Discover deeper insights and practical solutions in the full 2025 State of Workforce Mental Health Report.