The stigma surrounding mental health is slowly diminishing in the workplace, but there is still progress to be made for it to become an integral part of company culture. According to a recent poll conducted by Ipsos and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 75% of U.S. employees feel it is acceptable to address mental health concerns at work. Moreover, 77% of employees indicated that they would be comfortable if their colleagues approached them about their mental health in the workplace.
However, despite this perceived openness, there is a significant disconnect as only 58% of employees feel comfortable discussing their own mental health at work. This suggests a discrepancy between the workplace's perceived openness about mental health and individuals' willingness to talk about their own mental well-being. It is crucial to address this, as individuals who are less willing to discuss their mental health at work are more likely to experience burnout, which has affected over half of workers in the past year, according to the poll.
The poll also revealed that mental health coverage and training are key factors that can help alleviate this issue. It is encouraging that 60% of employees report that their employer provides mental health coverage. However, a concerning one in four employees is uncertain if mental health coverage is available to them, indicating the need for clearer communication about the services offered.
When it comes to mental health training, just over half of employees state that their employer either offers or mandates mental health and well-being training, including lectures, webinars, or resources. Notably, this figure drops to 36% in smaller companies with 100 to 249 employees, despite 83% of employees believing that this type of training is beneficial for fostering a positive workplace culture.
The poll underscores the importance of training managers, considering that most employees expect their employers to assist them in feeling more at ease discussing mental health at work. However, the data reveals a significant gap, as seven in ten senior-level employees have not received training on this matter, with an even larger disparity in smaller companies.
NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. highlighted the significance of this poll, emphasizing that today's workforce desires their employers to demonstrate care and support for their mental health through open conversation, training initiatives, and providing resources for well-being.