Mental health 'not improving' despite more effort from employers

Despite more effort from employers on mental health initiatives, a new report has revealed that workers' view on overall mental health still declined.

Research from Mind Share Partners and Qualtrics reveals that more employers have begun taking mental health seriously, with better results.

Symptoms related to burnout, anxiety, and depression among employees declined by 20%, according to the report, with employees citing their work or workplace environment playing a positive impact on their mental health.

However, the report found that symptom duration still increased, and workers' views of overall mental health declined.

The most-reported factor negatively impacting mental health is personal finances (39%), followed by work (23%).

"Many employers have begun to take mental health at work seriously, and their efforts are producing noticeable results. That said, mental health broadly is not improving," said Kelly Greenwood, Founder & CEO of Mind Share Partners, in a media release.

"Economic uncertainty and workplace factors — unsustainable workloads, a lack of a supportive community, and systemic inequalities — are leading to employees languishing in their jobs."

Greenwood, however, noted that the state of workplace mental health has changed substantially "for the better" over the past few years.

Culture over perks

To address the problem of declining mental health, Greenwood said "organisational culture change is needed."

The recommendation comes as 78% of employees said emphasis on health and sustainable workplaces would be moderately to extremely helpful to their mental health.

This is much higher than 64% who cited mental health treatment and the 60% who said self-care resources from mental health from their employers.

"While every employee's mental health needs are unique, an organisation's culture reflects the shared beliefs, values, and behaviours of all employees and has the potential to promote mental health, and by extension, the organisation as a whole," said Qualtrics Chief Workplace Psychologist Dr. Benjamin Granger in a statement.

According to the report, women, Gen Zs, Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ employees who felt more supported in their identity by their employers were more engaged and committed. They also had better mental health outcomes compared to those who didn't feel supported.

Bernie Wong, Principal at Mind Share Partners, urged employers to "go back to the basics."

"This means liveable wages, true balance between work and life, a sense of belonging, and sustainable ways of working," Wong, who also led the report, said.

"There will be no technological revolution, no productised panacea, and certainly no renaissance of mental wellbeing if the voices and livelihoods of workers aren't fundamentally at the centre of our cultures and systems. A mentally healthy future is possible, and we all can play a role."