A recent study by the HR.com Research Institute, 'HR.com's State of Employee Mental Health & Stress in the Workplace 2025', reveals a troubling disconnect between employee mental health needs and organizational support. While 89% of organizations offer mental health benefits, just 28% of employees believe these benefits effectively help manage workplace stress. The survey, encompassing a wide range of workers, found that 61% frequently experience work-related stress, yet fewer than half of the companies have effective systems to tackle mental health issues.
The research also noted a decrease in employee perception of organizational support for mental health, with 34% disagreeing that their companies go beyond basic benefits to address mental health challenges, a 15-point rise from the previous year. Only 9% of organizations have mechanisms to assess employee mental health, leaving most without crucial data to improve support services. Additionally, the study points to a lack of manager preparedness, with just 15% trained to assist stressed employees and 14% able to identify stress signs.
Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, stressed the importance of creating a supportive culture, training managers, and holding leadership accountable to close this gap. These findings call for businesses to urgently reassess and enhance their mental health support systems to promote a healthier, more productive workforce.
