Both workers and CEOs face mental health challenges: survey

Denver — Half of workers have experienced a mental health issue in the past year, results of a recent survey show.

On behalf of Businessolver, a benefits and human resources technology company, researchers surveyed more than 3,000 workers, CEOs and HR personnel.

Among the CEOs, 55% reported having a mental health issue in the previous 12 months. That’s an increase from 31% last year. 

Other findings:

• 60% of female respondents said they experienced a mental health issue, compared with 40% of male respondents.
• Nearly twice as many Generation Z respondents (65%) reported a mental health issue compared with baby boomers (38%).

Overall, 90% of the respondents agreed that it’s important for senior leadership to openly discuss mental health issues. However, most in each group – 81% of the CEOs, 72% of the HR workers and 67% of the employees – agreed or strongly agreed that organizations “view someone with mental health issues as weak or a burden.”

In a press release, Businessolver President and CEO Jon Shanahan praised study participants. “We commend the CEOs who took part in this study for approaching it with honesty and openness, particularly given the persistent stigma that surrounds mental health,” he said. “The more leaders are in touch with and willing to share their own struggles, the greater opportunity for empathy across the organization.”

Businessolver has published two executive reports on the ninth annual State of Workplace Empathy Study, one highlighting the survey data and another providing a “game plan for putting empathy into action.”