Mental Health Benefits are Important to Workers, New Survey Shows
Employers can take steps to help support workers’ mental health.
- By Alex Saurman
- Apr 15, 2022
A new survey revealed that mental health benefits are important to many workers.
According to a survey conducted by Lyra Health, these benefits were important to 84 percent of surveyed workers. About 29 percent said that “robust and comprehensive mental health benefits” are “very important,” and 55 percent said they are “somewhat important.”
The survey also showed that more workers faced declined mental health. In 2021, 31 percent of workers reported that their mental health declined. In 2020, that number was 24 percent, a one-year increase of 7 percent. Of all workers surveyed, 84 percent reported they had at least one mental health challenge in 2021, and 33 percent of workers sought care.
Of those who sought care, how did workers feel about their access to care through benefits? Over 60 percent reported that it was “easy” or “very easy.”
Employers can play an important role in improving their workers’ mental health and safety. The survey revealed that 92 percent of employee benefits leaders said, “providing mental health support for their people became a higher priority for their company in 2021, and 93 percent said they expect it to stay that way over the next three years.”
How can employers work to continue supporting workers’ mental health? An article by Corporate Wellness Magazine provides a few suggestions:
- “Establish workplace structures that support mental health"
- "Listen to your people and put their mental health needs first"
- "Make sure your employees can access quality mental health care"
- "Create an open conversation around mental health"
Learn more about the survey and results here.
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.