If you thought addressing the mental health stigma in the workplace was hard pre-pandemic, think again. Despite a growing body of research warning of a mental health pandemic coming on the heels of the COVID pandemic, employees are even less likely now than before the pandemic to reach out to employers for help.
The Standard's recent 2020 Behavioral Health Impact Update, 38% of employees are comfortable turning to their employers for help, compared to 45% pre-pandemic. This is despite also reporting feeling more supported by their employers during the pandemic.
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"The numbers speak for themselves — it's critical for companies to offer employee benefits that include more robust and accessible well-being resources that help workers stay healthy and productive," says Melissa Oliver-Janiak, senior director of Benefits and HR Service Center at The Standard. "These findings support the services we've been providing to our own employees and the need for employers to find new, effective and creative ways to support their people through this crisis."
Unfortunately, the impact on mental health will likely last long after the workplace returns to normal. According to the report, the added stress of the pandemic is compounding existing stressors for millennials and Gen Zers, such as student debt and job security.
Check out more results from The Standard's latest report in the infographic below (click to enlarge).
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
