Employee Perception of Current Mental Health Support

Employers provide a range of programs, policies and resources to support mental health.

84% report some employer support

Most employees report that their employers offer some support for employee mental health.

While no single offering is experienced by the majority, most commonly mentioned is information on employees’ rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, adequate insurance coverage for mental health services, flexible work schedules and permitted leave of absence for mental health reasons. (Table 19)

Icon of three people Information on rights under FMLA
94% Complete
47%
Icon representing insurance Adequate insurance for mental health
84% Complete
42%
Icon representing a flexible schedule Flexible work schedule
78% Complete
39%
Icon representing a calendar Permitted leave of absence for mental health reasons
72% Complete
36%
Icon representing opportunities Opportunities to establish a healthy work-life balance
62% Complete
31%
Icon representing fitness Fitness options
56% Complete
28%
Icon representing rehabilitation treatment Mental health treatment and rehabilitation programs and counseling
54% Complete
27%
Icon representing a healthy person Health promotion and prevention programs
46% Complete
23%
Icon representing a document Written organizational policies protecting employees’ mental health
32% Complete
17%
Icon representing a bar graph Training for leaders on responding promptly and constructively to work performance issues
32% Complete
16%
Icon representing a map maker On-site mental health support staff
26% Complete
13%
Icon representing other issues Other
2% Complete
1%
Prefer not to answer icon My employer doesn’t offer anything to support mental health
32% Complete
16%

Base All qualified respondents (n=1,041)
Q820 Which of the following, if any, does your employer offer employees to support their mental health? Please select all that apply.

Employees take advantage of employer-provided mental health resources and find them useful.

Among the programs, policies and resources offered by their current or past employer, the majority of employees have taken advantage of flexible work schedules (57 percent) and fitness options (53 percent). They have also used health promotion and prevention programs (46 percent) when offered.

Employees report that these offerings have been overwhelmingly helpful.

Icon representing a flexible schedule Flexible work schedule
99% Complete
99%
Icon representing a map maker On-site mental health support staff*
98% Complete
98%
Icon representing rehabilitation treatment Mental health treatment and rehabilitation programs and counseling*
97% Complete
97%
Icon representing fitness Fitness options
95% Complete
95%
Icon representing a calendar Permitted leave of absence for mental health reasons*
94% Complete
94%
Icon representing a healthy person Health promotion and prevention programs*
93% Complete
93%
Icon of three people Information on employees’ rights under Family Medical Leave Act
92% Complete
92%

Base: Used Program (n=varies for each)
Question Q830;* Indicates a small base size (less than n=100 were offered program); use caution when interpreting

Employees are likely to use these mental health supports if the need arises.

Regardless of whether employees have received these supports to date, most say they are likely to use them in the future should an issue emerge that negatively affects their mental health. The programs they say they are most likely to use are flexible work schedules, information about employees’ rights under FMLA, permitted leave of absence for mental health reasons, and fitness options.

Most likely to use in the future:

Flexible schedule icon with 85%

Flexible work schedules

People icon with 83%

Information on FMLA

Calendar icon with 81%

Mental health leave of absence

Fitness icon with 77%

Fitness options