A recent study by the HR.com Research Institute reveals a significant disconnect between employee mental health needs and organizational support systems in the workplace. Titled 'HR.com's State of Employee Mental Health & Stress in the Workplace 2025,' the research indicates that while 89% of organizations provide mental health benefits, only 28% of employees find these benefits effective in managing workplace stress. This disparity suggests that simply offering benefits is insufficient for addressing the growing mental health challenges faced by today's workforce.
The study surveyed a broad spectrum of employees and found that 61% frequently experience stress at work. Despite this high prevalence, less than half of companies have effective systems to address mental health issues. The research also documents a decline in employee perception of organizational support, 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, signaling a worsening trend that demands immediate attention from HR vendors and industry leaders.
One of the most concerning findings involves the lack of data collection and assessment capabilities within organizations. Only 9% of companies have measures in place to assess employee mental health, leaving the majority without the necessary information to enhance support services effectively. This data gap prevents organizations from understanding the scope of mental health challenges and developing targeted interventions that could improve employee wellbeing and productivity.
The study further highlights a critical deficiency in managerial preparedness. Only 15% of managers are equipped to guide stressed employees, and a mere 14% can recognize signs of stress in their team members. This managerial gap represents a significant vulnerability in organizational support systems, as managers serve as the first line of defense in identifying and addressing employee mental health concerns. Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO of HR.com, emphasized the need for organizations to focus on cultivating a supportive culture, providing manager training, and ensuring leadership accountability to bridge this gap.
For HR vendors serving the human resources industry, these findings present both challenges and opportunities. The research underscores the urgent need for businesses to reevaluate and strengthen their mental health support systems to foster healthier, more productive workforces. Vendors offering comprehensive mental health solutions, manager training programs, and assessment tools may find increased demand as organizations seek to address these deficiencies. The full study details are available at https://www.hr.com/en/research-institute/. The growing awareness of mental health issues in the workplace, coupled with the documented shortcomings in current support systems, suggests that mental health will remain a priority area for investment and innovation in the HR technology and services sector.
