55% of CEOs said they had a mental health issue within the past year
The study found that employees who view their workplace as toxic are 47% more likely to also cite a mental health issue.
Mental health is often not discussed in the workplace, especially amongst senior leadership and CEOs. A new study by Businessolver, a business management consultant, found that 1 in 2 employees surveyed said that they had experienced a mental health issue in the past year. Among CEOs the number was even more staggering with 55% of CEOs reporting they’d had a mental health issue in the past year, a 24 point year-over-year (YOY) increase.
Conversations surrounding mental health are critical to a healthy organization. The study found nearly 90% agreement across employees, HR and CEOs that it’s important for senior leadership to “openly discuss mental health issues to create a safe environment for other employees to follow suit.”
While there have been significant increases in the prioritization of mental health amongst senior leadership, there is still work to be done. According to the study, 81% of CEOs, 72% of HR and 67% of employees all ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ that companies view someone with mental health issues as weak or a burden.
Among employees who do not hold leadership roles, the study found that women and younger workers seem to suffer the greatest from mental health challenges. Sixty percent of female survey respondents indicated that they had experienced mental health issues, compared to only 40% of male respondents. Similarly, Gen Z respondents were almost twice as likely to report a mental health issue as compared to Boomers – 65% and 38% respectively.
Related: Mental health crisis worsens among U.S. workers despite increased awareness
The study found a strong link between workplace toxicity and mental health issues – which is one thing all surveyed employees seem to agree on. Forty-two percent of total respondents said that their workplace is toxic with both 52% of CEOs and Gen Z saying the same. Additionally, the study found that employees who view their workplace as toxic are 47% more likely to also cite a mental health issue.
“This year’s findings present a mixed bag of concern and cautious optimism,” observed Joe Shanahan, President and CEO at Businessolver. “One thing is certain; empathy increasingly means more and holds far deeper significance for employees. Leaders must evolve and adapt their understanding while dismantling the stigmas that hinder it.”