A recently released survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that people dealing with mental health issues are treated differently.
In a company news release, LifeWorks Health Index reported that 63% of 5,000 Americans who responded to an online survey expressed reservations about how mental health conditions can be treated by family, friends, colleagues and employers, with another 30% stating they were unsure how mental health conditions can be viewed.
According to the survey, 32% of Americans feel uncomfortable discussing mental health with their manager, 32% feel uncomfortable discussing mental health with their colleagues, and 14% expressed discomfort talking with friends and family.
Those who felt supported with mental health issues cited work flexibility (46%), employer-promoted mental health services and resources (31%), and days off dedicated to mental health care (21%) as the main reasons.
Additionally, according to the release, 51% of respondents who felt their employer supported their mental health during the pandemic reported a mental health score more than six points above the national average.
“Access to mental health support provides a tangible safety net for working Americans,” LifeWorks President and CEO Esteban Lip Trap indicated in the statement. “It is clear that those who feel supported by employers are better off mentally than those who do not. Employers must address this reluctance to engage because this environment of uncertainty has far-reaching consequences.”
Among other findings, the June index score was 69.9, a slight improvement over May’s score of 69.4, and it also reports on the optimism and overall optimism of American workers. psychological health decreased from May to June, while mental health scores improved in every region of the US except the West.
