Employee mental health hits an all-time low in the US with rates of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and addiction soaring amid skyrocketing Omicron cases, confirmed the Mental Health Index; US Worker Edition.
Most notably, an alarming one in four American workers screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder; up 54% in the past three months and up 136% when compared to pre-pandemic. Depression is surging – also up 87% since the autumn (63% higher than before Covid-19).
Men show a sharp rise in risk of addiction too; up 80% between September and December 2021. In just the past three months, depression in men is up 118%, and social anxiety is up 162%. When looking specifically at men ages 40-59, general anxiety is up 94%.
SHARP MENTAL HEALTH DECLINE
“We expect mental health declines around the holidays; however, nothing of this sheer magnitude,” stated Mathew Mund, CEO of Total Brain. “We see a very troublesome surge in mental health concerns at a time when Omicron begins to grip the nation; workplace vaccine mandates are put in place; and the holiday season is in full swing. Employers must be prepared to address trauma in the workplace. Understanding the risks and pressures that may exist for employees and normalising workplace mental health discussions are important first steps.”
The Mental Health Index (US Edition) from Total Brain, a mental health monitoring and support platform, works in partnership with the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions; One Mind at Work; and the HR Policy Association and its American Health Policy Institute.
“The Omicron surge has had a parallel effect on the mental health of our workforce,” confirmed National Alliance President and CEO Michael Thompson. “While we had hoped the worst was behind us, employers will want to double down on efforts; to create a supportive environment as the issues created by the pandemic continue.”
HEALTHCARE ACCESS
This sustained impact on the mental health of today’s workforce will require “an equally sustained impact and effort on the part of employers”, said Daryl Tol, Executive Vice President of One Mind at Work. “Often, we look for simple or short-term solutions to complex problems; however it’s evident that it is going to take dedicated, ongoing work to advance mental health programmes for employees on an impactful scale.”
Margaret Faso, Director, Health Care Research and Policy of HR Policy Association, agreed: “It is distressing that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant has compounded the typical holiday behavioural health declines. Large employers continue to work tirelessly to provide employees with increased workplace flexibility and benefits, including access to health care services. The uncertainty around federal Covid policies adds to the stress felt at the workplace; however, employers have continued to focus on the safety and well-being of employees, regardless of mandates or federal policy. It is our hope that as the Omicron variant dissipates, the stress, depression and anxiety of America’s workers also declines, and the associated behavioral health of all Americans improves.”
The Mental Health Index: US Worker Edition contains data drawn from a weekly randomised sample of 500 working Americans taken from a larger universe of Total Brain users. The Index is NOT a survey or a poll. Data is culled from neuroscientific brain assessments using standardised digital tasks and questions from the Total Brain platform. Participants include workers from all walks of life and regions, job levels, occupations, industries, and types of organisations (public vs. private). The full Mental Health Index results can be found here.
Nine out of 10 employers are increasing investment in mental health programmes, according to a recent study. Click here to read more.
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