Workers ‘not coping’: Anxiety, stress & PTSD ‘skyrocket’

American staff are not coping well, with risk of PTSD and general anxiety skyrocketing over the last month, according to the Mental Health Index: US Worker Edition.

Against the backdrop of the rising delta variant and a race by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to bring back mask mandates, the risk of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to surge. PTSD risk is now 83% higher than pre-pandemic; and has skyrocketed an alarming 61% over the past six months.

In fact, employees aged 40-59, many of who are management-level workers, are riddled with anxiety, stress and negativity. The report attributes this to political divisiveness and renewed concerns over return-to-work and back-to-school plans. For this group:

• Risk of general anxiety increased 94% over last month. 
• Stress increased 15% over last month. 
• Conscious negativity bias increased 10% over last month.

BACK WHERE WE STARTED

“It is beginning to feel like we are back where we started,” explained Matthew Resteghini, Chief Marketing Officer of Total Brain. “The good news is that we have learned much since March 2020.  We know what is needed to support the mental health of our employees; candid conversations, empathetic leadership, flexibility, transparent and frequent communications and robust mental health offerings that meet the needs of diverse employee populations. Employers have the opportunity to put into action important lessons learned; the success of their employees and their businesses depend on it.”

The emergence of the delta variant is “now impeding the mental health of our workplaces”, added Michael Thompson, President and CEO of National Alliance. In fact, the rising number of delta variant cases has triggered return to workplace concerns for nearly half of US workers, according to another piece of new research.

“The need for organisations to double down on vaccinations will be critical to normalise our workplaces; and universally support the wellbeing of our employees,” noted Thompson.

COMBATTING ANXIETY & STRESS

“Unfortunately, what seemed like the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel has now dimmed. The results of this Mental Health Index demonstrate that the mental health crisis related to the pandemic continues, given the heightened concerns around the delta variant and the uncertainty around back-to-school and work,” noted Colleen McHugh, Executive Vice President of the American Health Policy Institute and strategic advisor for HR Policy Association.

HR Policy Association member companies “have band together to share best practices and all remain dedicated to providing creative benefit solutions and increased flexibility to employees; particularly managers, needing extra support to combat anxiety and to cope with the continued stress of the pandemic”, she added.

The Mental Health Index: US Worker Edition, powered by Total Brain, a mental health and brain performance self-monitoring and self-care platform, is distributed in partnership with the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions; One Mind at Work; and the HR Policy Association; and American Health Policy Institute. Click here to download the report.

Stress and burnout are the main reasons behind half of business leaders planning to leave their jobs over the next year, according to a new study. Click here to read more.