Mental health "care"

Employee well-being and mental health have declined over the past year, and fewer employees feel that their organizations' care about their well-being, according to a new study from the WebMD Health Services Center for Research. Key study findings include:

• Only 1 in 4 employees (25 percent) strongly agree that their organization cares about their well-being.
• Employees with a strong sense of organizational care report 56 percent higher engagement, 37 percent lower burnout, and higher intent to stay with their company.
• Workplace mental health is shaped by both professional and personal pressures, yet many employees feel their needs aren't being met.
• The perception of organizational care remains low across industries, roles, and work arrangements—despite growing investments in employee well-being and support programs.

Mental health struggles persist as employees feel less supported at work. There was a 14-point drop from 2024 to 2025 in the percentage of employees reporting "Excellent" mental health. Female employees rated their mental health lower than male employees, with the largest gaps seen among Gen Z and Millennial workers—differences of 21 percent and 19 percent, respectively. These disparities may reflect life transitions more common in these age groups, including early career pressures and caregiving responsibilities. By identifying these vulnerable populations, employers have an opportunity to tailor mental health interventions to those most in need.

"The decline in employee mental health over the past year is a clear signal that organizations must prioritize well-being and support systems more than ever," said Erin Seaverson, Senior Director of the Center for Research at WebMD Health Services. "As the workplace continues to evolve, fostering an environment that values mental health is essential to not only support employees but also to drive organizational success."

Work and life pressures both impact mental health. Employees with better mental health reported higher levels of engagement, a stronger sense of belonging, and more positive perceptions of organizational care. Additionally, mental health was found to be positively correlated with life satisfaction and negatively correlated with life stress. These findings highlight the need to view mental health as interconnected with both work and personal life.

[A note from WCI: this research indicates or implies the connection between mental health and the sense of care that employees get at work, or don't get. Care is demonstrated many different ways, and all of them add or subtract from the employee experience. As a result of this "care perception" within your workplace culture, there is a direct correlation with engagement, productivity, and retention. WCI's EXA Survey can measure these factors for you, so you can know what to work on.]

Employee perception of organizational support remains low. Only 25 percent of employees strongly agree that their organization cares about their well-being. The study found that this perception has declined by 5 percent from 2024 to 2025, signaling increased uncertainty or dissatisfaction with workplace well-being support. Perceptions of care vary across industries, work arrangements, and roles, with senior leaders being 28 percentage points more likely than individual contributors to agree that their organization cares about their well-being. This disconnect is crucial to address, as leaders play a key role in shaping organizational culture. Identifying and addressing these gaps will help create a more consistent experience for all employees.

The impact of organizational care extends beyond the workplace. Employees who feel cared for are more likely to thrive—both professionally and personally. Those with a strong perception of organizational care report 56 percent higher engagement, 37 percent lower burnout, and greater retention compared to those who feel less supported. Outside of work, they also experience higher overall well-being and life satisfaction.

"Investing time and energy into building a strong culture of care is a smart strategic decision for any organization," said Seaverson. "The impact of organizational care is profound, both within the workplace and beyond. Care truly matters."

Source: WebMD Health Services.

From WCI's HR Answers Now ©2025 CCH Incorporated and its affiliates. All rights reserved.