Study Reveals Critical Gap Between Employee Mental Health Needs and Workplace Support Systems

A comprehensive study conducted by the HR.com Research Institute reveals a significant disconnect between employee mental health needs and organizational support systems in today's workplace. The research, titled 'HR.com's State of Employee Mental Health & Stress in the Workplace 2025', demonstrates that despite 89% of organizations offering mental health benefits, only 28% of employees feel these benefits effectively help them manage workplace stress. This disparity points to fundamental issues in how companies approach mental health support.

The study surveyed a broad spectrum of the workforce and found that 61% of respondents frequently experience stress at work, creating an environment where mental health support is increasingly critical. However, less than half of the companies surveyed have effective systems in place to address mental health issues, leaving many employees without adequate resources. The research also uncovered a concerning decline in employee perception of organizational support for mental health, with 34% of respondents disagreeing that their organizations go beyond basic benefits to address mental health challenges. This represents a 15-point increase from the previous year, indicating a growing dissatisfaction with current support structures.

One of the most alarming findings concerns the lack of measurement and assessment tools within organizations. Only 9% of companies have measures in place to assess employee mental health, meaning the vast majority operate without the necessary data to understand and improve their support services. This data gap makes it difficult for organizations to tailor their mental health initiatives to actual employee needs. The study further highlights a critical deficiency in management preparedness, with only 15% of managers equipped to guide stressed employees and a mere 14% able to recognize signs of stress in their team members.

Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO of HR.com, emphasized the urgent need for organizations to focus on cultivating a supportive culture, providing comprehensive manager training, and ensuring leadership accountability to bridge this gap. The findings underscore the importance of moving beyond basic benefit offerings to create holistic mental health support systems that address the root causes of workplace stress. As mental health continues to be a significant factor in employee wellbeing and productivity, businesses must reevaluate their approaches to ensure they are effectively supporting their workforce in meaningful ways that align with actual employee needs and experiences.