Mental Health in the Workplace

Most of us spend a huge chunk of our lives at work. For many people, it is more than just a place to earn money. It is where we build relationships, face challenges, and find a sense of purpose. But work can also be a source of stress, pressure, and emotional strain. When the demands of a job become too much, our mental health can suffer.

The connection between work and mental wellbeing has never been clearer. Research shows that workplace conditions can directly shape how we feel, both at the office and at home. Understanding this connection is the first step toward creating healthier work environments and taking better care of ourselves.

This guide explores what workplace mental health really means, why it matters, and what both employers and employees can do to support it.

The State of Mental Health at Work

Mental health challenges in the workplace are more common than many people realize. Around 1 in 6 people experience mental health problems at work, and the numbers have been rising in recent years. [1] The World Health Organization reports that approximately 15% of working age adults live with a mental disorder at any given time. [2]

Surveys paint a sobering picture of how workers are feeling. According to Mental Health America, three quarters of U.S. employees report that work stress negatively impacts their sleep. Around three in five say it affects their personal relationships. [3] Generation Z and Millennial workers report the poorest overall work health scores, with 71% of Gen Z employees and 59% of Millennials falling into the unhealthy range.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found in 2025 that while three quarters of American workers feel it is appropriate to discuss mental health at work, two in five still worry they would be judged if they shared about their own struggles. [4] This gap between acceptance and comfort shows that stigma remains a barrier.

The financial impact is enormous. Depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion each year, driven mainly by lost productivity. [2] Around 12 billion working days are lost globally every year to these conditions alone.

How Work Affects Mental Health

The relationship between work and mental health runs both ways. Work can protect our mental health by providing financial stability, a sense of purpose, social connections, and routine. At the same time, certain workplace conditions can create or worsen mental health problems.

Factors That Can Harm Mental Health

Several workplace factors are known to put mental health at risk:

Excessive workloads and unrealistic deadlines can lead to chronic stress and exhaustion
Lack of control over how, when, and where work gets done reduces autonomy and increases anxiety
Poor support from managers leaves workers feeling isolated when challenges arise
Unclear expectations create confusion and worry about performance
Workplace bullying, harassment, or discrimination directly harm psychological safety
Job insecurity and financial worries contribute to ongoing stress
Long hours without adequate rest increase the risk of burnout, anxiety, and depression [5]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that managers can have a bigger impact on workers’ mental health than doctors or therapists. [5] This highlights how much the daily work environment matters.

Factors That Can Protect Mental Health

On the flip side, healthy workplaces can actively support mental wellbeing:

Supportive managers who check in, listen, and advocate for their teams
Flexible work arrangements that allow people to balance work and personal needs
Clear communication about expectations, goals, and changes
Opportunities for growth and professional development
Recognition and appreciation for contributions and effort
A culture of inclusion where all workers feel they belong

Understanding Burnout

Burnout has become one of the most talked about workplace mental health issues. The World Health Organization defines it as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. [6] It is not simply feeling tired after a long week. Burnout is a state of prolonged exhaustion that affects how you think, feel, and function.

Signs of Burnout

Burnout typically shows up in three main ways:

Exhaustion. Feeling drained physically and emotionally, even after rest. You may wake up tired and struggle to find energy for daily tasks.
Cynicism and detachment. Feeling negative, disconnected, or indifferent about your work. You may find yourself caring less about things that used to matter to you.
Reduced effectiveness. Feeling like nothing you do makes a difference. Your productivity and confidence may drop.

Other warning signs include:

Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Changes in appetite
Frequent headaches, muscle tension, or stomach problems
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Withdrawing from coworkers, friends, or family
Increased irritability or frustration

Research from WebMD Health Services found that one third of employees are experiencing persistent burnout, and perceptions of burnout increased by more than 25% between 2022 and 2024. [7] Service oriented sectors like healthcare, education, and government report particularly low wellbeing scores.

Burnout vs. Stress

It is important to understand that burnout and stress are related but different. Stress usually involves too much pressure and demands, but there is still hope that things will improve. With burnout, you may feel empty, hopeless, and completely depleted. Stress can sometimes motivate you to push through, while burnout makes it hard to function at all.

Burnout can also look similar to depression, but there is a key difference. Burnout is tied to your work situation. Depression can affect all areas of life and does not require a specific trigger. That said, untreated burnout can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

What Healthy Workplaces Look Like

In 2022, the U.S. Surgeon General released a Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being. [8] This framework outlines five essentials that organizations can focus on to create workplaces that support mental health. It provides a useful roadmap for understanding what makes work environments healthy.

Protection from Harm

This means ensuring both physical and psychological safety. Workers need to feel safe from injury, harassment, bullying, and discrimination. They also need job security and fair wages. Organizations should allow adequate rest, since insufficient sleep raises the risk of injuries, mistakes, and mental health problems.

Connection and Community

Humans are social beings, and positive relationships at work matter for wellbeing. This essential focuses on creating cultures of inclusion and belonging, building trusted relationships, and encouraging teamwork and collaboration. Feeling like you belong and have support makes work more meaningful and less stressful.

Work Life Harmony

People need autonomy and flexibility to balance their professional and personal lives. This includes having some control over how, when, and where work gets done. It also means access to paid leave, predictable schedules, and clear boundaries between work time and personal time.

Mattering at Work

People need to feel that they and their work matter. This comes from being paid a living wage, being involved in decisions, receiving recognition and gratitude, and understanding how individual work connects to the organization’s larger purpose. When people feel valued, their stress decreases and their engagement increases.

Opportunity for Growth

Workers thrive when they can learn new skills, advance in their careers, and see clear paths forward. This includes access to training, mentorship, constructive feedback, and promotion opportunities. Growth opportunities help people feel optimistic and motivated.

What Employers Can Do

Creating a mentally healthy workplace requires commitment from leadership and ongoing effort. Here are evidence based strategies that organizations can implement.

Build a Supportive Culture

Train managers to recognize signs of stress and burnout and to have supportive conversations
Encourage leaders to model healthy behaviors like taking breaks and using vacation time
Create opportunities for open dialogue about mental health to reduce stigma
Establish clear policies against harassment, bullying, and discrimination

Provide Resources and Support

Offer comprehensive health insurance that includes mental health coverage
Provide access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) with confidential counseling
Make information about mental health resources easy to find and access
Consider offering wellness programs, stress management training, or mindfulness resources

Address Workload and Work Design

Ensure workloads are realistic and sustainable
Give workers input into how their work is done
Provide flexibility in schedules and work locations when possible
Set clear expectations and communicate changes in advance
Encourage breaks and respect boundaries around work hours

Listen to Workers

Use surveys and other tools to understand how employees are doing
Create safe channels for feedback and concerns
Involve workers in decisions that affect their work
Act on feedback to show that employee voices matter

What You Can Do for Yourself

While workplace conditions play a major role, there are also steps you can take to protect and support your own mental health at work.

Recognize Warning Signs

Pay attention to how you are feeling. Are you constantly exhausted, even after time off? Have you become cynical or disengaged? Are you having trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating? Noticing these signs early can help you take action before things get worse.

Set Boundaries

It can be hard to disconnect from work, especially when working from home or using devices that keep you connected around the clock. Try setting limits on work hours and sticking to them. Turn off email notifications outside of work time when possible. Protect time for rest, relationships, and activities that recharge you.

Build Supportive Relationships

Having people you trust at work can make difficult days easier to manage. Take time to connect with coworkers, even if it is just brief conversations. If you are comfortable, talk openly about stress and challenges. You may find that others are going through similar experiences.

Practice Stress Management

The CDC recommends several strategies for managing work related stress: [9]

Talk with coworkers, supervisors, friends, or family about what is stressing you
Take breaks during your shift to rest and stretch
Get regular exercise, even short walks
Spend time outdoors when you can
Focus on what you can control rather than what you cannot
Maintain healthy sleep habits

Know Your Resources

Find out what mental health resources your workplace offers. Many companies have Employee Assistance Programs that provide free, confidential counseling. Your health insurance likely covers mental health services. If you are not sure what is available, ask your human resources department or a trusted manager.

Seek Help When You Need It

If you are struggling, reach out for support. This might mean talking to a therapist, counselor, or doctor. It could mean having an honest conversation with your manager about your workload. There is no shame in asking for help. In fact, seeking support early often leads to better outcomes than waiting until things become unmanageable.

The Bottom Line

Mental health in the workplace is not just a personal issue. It is a shared responsibility between workers, managers, and organizations. When workplaces prioritize mental health, everyone benefits. Workers feel better, stay longer, and perform at their best. Organizations see higher productivity, lower healthcare costs, and stronger teams.

The World Health Organization emphasizes that work can protect mental health when done right. Decent work supports wellbeing by providing stability, purpose, connection, and routine. [2] But it takes intentional effort to create those conditions.

Whether you are an employee trying to manage stress or a leader looking to support your team, the path forward starts with awareness. Understanding the factors that affect workplace mental health, recognizing warning signs, and knowing what resources are available are all important first steps.

If you are struggling, please know that help is available. You do not have to face these challenges alone.