As this is Mental Health Awareness Month, the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) released new research that found that nearly a third of U.S. workers said their job causes high levels of stress.
Key Findings Include:
- 31% of U.S. workers say their job causes frequent stress.
- Younger employees (ages 18-34) are most affected, with 37% reporting they’d take a pay cut for better mental health support at work.
- Workloads (47%), compensation (42%), and poor leadership (40%) rank among the top drivers of workplace stress.
The survey found that only 25% of organizations focus more on preventing mental health issues, while 38% focus more on reacting to issues.
Furthermore, just 25% of organizations focus more on preventing mental health issues, while 38% focus more on reacting to issues. And HR professionals’ confidence in their organization’s mental health support dipped from 70% in 2024 to 65% in 2025.
What could turn this around is the level of fulfillment that employees feel. The survey found that employees who felt fulfilled by their work cite feeling that their work makes a positive difference (42%), recognition and appreciation for their work (40%), and supportive leadership (38%) as top reasons they are less likely to seek new roles.
“The findings support a critical need for organizations to prioritize mental health support as a fundamental pillar of workplace well-being," said. Wendi Safstrom, president of the SHRM Foundation, in a statement. "Creating environments where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered affords both employees and businesses to thrive."
What Companies Can Do:
Based on the findings, SHRM provides a roadmap for employers to address workplace mental health effectively:
Foster a culture of openness and awareness about mental health. Organizations can normalize conversations, educate employees, and leverage Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Train leaders to identify and mitigate burnout while creating safe, supportive spaces for employees.
Offer younger workers purpose-driven roles aligned with their values and shared organizational goals.
Equip HR professionals with the resources and training to manage the unique challenges they face in supporting organizational well-being.