Survey: Workers Demand More Mental Health Support from Employers

Workers Seek Greater Mental Health Resources in the Workplace

A recent survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) revealed that despite strong demand for mental health-related training and resources, less than a third of employees receive any at work, according to Safety+Health Magazine. The third annual StigmaFree Workplace Mental Health Survey collected responses from nearly 2,200 full-time workers at organizations with at least 100 employees, with findings published on May 15, 2026.

Key Survey Findings on Employee Stress and Stigma

Around 70% of respondents reported feeling stressed about the state of the world, including 30% who felt “very stressed,” marking an 11 percentage point increase from 2024. Only 54% of workers believe their employer prioritizes their mental health, while 48% worry about being judged for discussing mental health struggles and 46% of managers fear negative career impacts. Stigma acts as a barrier for 41% of workers, and 23% avoid discussions due to concerns about retaliation or losing job opportunities, as detailed in the survey results.

Demand for Training and Support Mechanisms

More than three-fourths of workers agreed that training on mental health conditions (79%), identifying and responding to a mental health crisis (80%), and managing stress or burnout (81%) would be helpful. Workers whose employers provide mental health training were more likely to feel supported by managers (86% vs. 70%) and company leaders (58% vs. 43%) and less likely to worry about stigma (43% vs. 52%). Additionally, more than 1 in 4 workers have considered quitting due to a job’s effect on their mental health, according to the survey findings from Safety+Health Magazine.

Comfort Levels and Employer Opportunities

Most workers feel comfortable discussing mental health with colleagues they consider friends (83%), teammates (61%), and their manager (57%), but fewer are comfortable with human resources (39%) or senior leadership (30%). This highlights specific areas where employers can address gaps, such as through targeted training. As widely-known context, mental health in the workplace has gained attention in recent years due to increasing awareness of its impact on productivity and safety. According to Safety+Health Magazine, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. stated that employers can build a culture that reduces stigma by prioritizing mental health resources and training.