Companies Pledge to Continue to Improve Worker Mental Health
Workers’ mental health has declined in recent years, many surveys show.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jun 08, 2022
Workers’ mental health has declined since the start of the pandemic.
Compared to 2019, many workers are facing more mental health issues. According to a survey from The Standard, an insurance company, 46 percent of people surveyed said they are “suffering from mental health issues.” Before the pandemic, that number was only 39 percent. More people are also suffering from serious mental illnesses, 11 percent in 2020, up from 7 percent before the pandemic.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) published a survey in 2021 about workers’ mental health. More than 40 percent of the 1,099 employees surveyed said they felt “hopeless, burned out or exhausted.”
The importance of workers’ mental health and well-being has been augmented for many employers during the pandemic. Many of these employers are committing to improving their workers’ mental health.
According to a press release, more than 80 companies have signed a pledge to continue to make workers’ mental health and well-being a priority. The pledge starts with two simple lines: “The times are uncertain. Our commitment to mental health is not.”
Thrive, a technology company, and SHRM started the pledge, which a variety of companies have signed. They include public companies like MetLife and Walmart and private companies and non-profits such as the American Heart Association.
“Now more than ever, employers must commit and provide adequate resources to support their employees’ successful mental health and well-being,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM President and CEO in the press release. “It’s not just good for their businesses – it’s also the right thing to do.”
Read the pledge online.
Looking for more ways to support workers’ mental health? Listen to our podcast on employee mental health and wellness.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.