If we were to describe the theme of the past few years in a single word, we’d have to say stress. After living through a global pandemic, a world-wide upheaval of daily life, an ever-worsening political division across the country, and skyrocketing inflation, it’s no wonder everyone is just a little on edge, all the time. 

And that goes double in the business world. 

The incidence of mental health issues at the workplace has exploded over the past few years, with behavioral health support rising to one of the biggest employee benefits available. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the state of how businesses are rising to meet this growing demand. 

Employee Mental Health Statistics You Need to Know

The latest figures regarding mental health among today’s employees are quite shocking, and deserve more than a little attention. 

50% of Americans will experience severe mental health issues in their lifetimes, which could include everything from substance abuse, to self harm and mood disorders. 

77% of businesses are experiencing rising levels of mental health needs among their workforce, which is why many businesses are expanding their employee benefits to include these services. 

1 in 3 American employees put their mental health as a priority in their lives, while a quarter of employees saying they feel like their mental health is fair to poor. 

Important Industry Trends in Today’s Marketplace

There are plenty of trends that we can look at to see the state of mental health, and its effect on business, throughout the country. 

A Troubling Rise

The truth is, there is a staggering elevation in rates of depression and suicide in the United States, leading to a subsequent rise in illicit drug use, obesity, and many other addictions. This is why it’s so important for employers to offer support for their employees’ mental health. 

New Priorities

Since the life-changing lockdowns we all experienced, a new-found respect for life-work balance has come onto the scene. People everywhere are taking stock of their lives, and especially their mental well-being. That’s why companies looking to stay competitive need to place a high priority on mental health programs, and to make it an ingrained part of their corporate culture.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Companies that neglect or ignore their employees’ mental health do so at their own peril. It’s widely known that mental health issues can lead to destructive physical ailments such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, even cancer. But recently, organizations are being made aware of the bottom-line impact of these problems. Workers with mental health issues lead to high turnover rate, lower productivity, and higher sick days, which over the course of a year can add up to huge costs. 

A Real Opportunity

Despite the huge impact of mental health on our economy, many employees are still doing nothing. A recent survey from the American Psychological Association found some shocking statistics: 

• 43% of employees have access to health insurance that covers behavioral health and substance abuse treatments  
• 15% of employees say that their employer offers mental health days for their staff
• 12% of employees have a job with staff trained in mental health support

How Businesses Are Offering Mental Health Support 

There are a few ways that today’s businesses are answering the need for mental health for their employees. 

Support #1: Tele-Behavioral Health Services

Many employers are partnering with mental health specialists who offer a virtual mental health provider available whenever the employee needs it. These offerings provide access to many people from underserved communities, who would have trouble affording these services outside of the workplace. 

Support #2: Employee Assistance Programs

Another approach is to offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which includes free and confidential counseling, assessments, referrals, and follow-up services to employees. These programs are typically covered by government assistance. 

Support #3: Corporate Wellness Programs

A third option, and in our opinion the best option, is a corporate wellness program that combines mental health support with physical wellness tools. As the creators of The Sweat Force, we at Studio SWEAT onDemand designed a corporate wellness program that offers the best in virtual fitness (with a huge library of immersive onDemand workouts), combined with unmatched wellness support (including wellness sessions, seminars, and more), to deliver all-around support for your employees’ health — inside and out.

Click here to learn more about The Sweat Force and to put your employees’ health and wellness needs first.