New Study Highlights Growing Disconnect Between Employee Mental Health Needs and Workplace Support

A new research report by HR.com's Research Institute, titled 'State of Employee Mental Health & Stress in the Workplace 2025', sheds light on a concerning disparity between the mental health needs of employees and the support mechanisms in place within organizations. Despite 89% of organizations offering mental health benefits, a mere 28% of employees feel their organizations are effective in helping them manage stress. This discrepancy points to a critical area of neglect in workplace wellness programs.

The study further reveals that only 45% of respondents believe their organizations take meaningful steps beyond providing benefits to address mental health challenges, a significant drop from the previous year. With just 9% of organizations measuring employee mental health, the lack of data underscores a broader issue of insufficient tracking and improvement in mental health support.

Key findings from the report indicate a dire need for better manager training and workplace culture shifts. Only 15% of managers are prepared to guide stressed employees, and a mere 14% can recognize signs of stress. These statistics highlight a gap in frontline support that could mitigate mental health issues before they escalate.

Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasizes the necessity for organizations to move beyond mere program implementation. 'Mental health programs aren’t enough. Organizations must prioritize culture, manager training, and leadership accountability to close this critical gap,' McGrath stated. The report serves as a call to action for businesses to reevaluate and strengthen their approach to employee mental health and stress management.

For those interested in delving deeper into the findings, the research webcast presentation, 'Breaking the Silence on Employee Mental Health and Stress Issues 2025', is available for on-demand viewing at https://hr.com/hrresearchinstitute.