Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year.1 That’s about 20% of your workforce—and the reality is that number is likely to be higher because many others may currently be struggling but don’t recognize or acknowledge the symptoms. Spikes in mental health issues alongside widespread stress and anxiety caused by the coronavirus have put a spotlight on workplace mental health and the proactive ways employers can help support their employees’ overall well‑being.
In 2020, 70% of employees reported feeling more stress due to the coronavirus than ever before in their professional careers.2 While vaccinations against the virus and an economic reboot may help to relieve some of the mental strain on employees, ongoing struggles are expected as workers try to cope with the effects of social isolation and uncertainty about health, safety and finances. In 2021, while 58% of employees agree that the coronavirus is still a top stressor at work, 95% of employees are feeling optimistic about life returning to “normal.”2
Employers can play a key role in addressing today’s mental health challenges by serving as an access point for support and services for working adults. Through organizations like One Mind at Work, a global coalition of leaders from diverse sectors who have joined together with the goal of transforming approaches to mental health and addiction, employers including Bank of America are helping to lead the way in raising awareness about mental health issues and creating a culture of assistance and acceptance in the workplace.