The Hartford, a leading provider of employee benefits and workers’ compensation, announced key mental health findings from its annual research shows the ongoing mental health crisis continues to disproportionately affect the youngest generation in the workplace – Generation Z.
The Hartford’s 2025 Future of Benefits Study1 found 40% of Gen Z workers feel depressed or anxious at least a few times per week and 46% say stigma prevents them from seeking mental health care. These findings were slightly lower than last year’s results – 45% and 52%, respectively – but continue to be higher than other generations in the U.S. workforce.
“The need for employers to prioritize mental health – especially for Gen Z employees – has never been greater,” said The Hartford’s Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift. “By fostering a supportive work environment, we not only help them thrive but also create a culture of empathy and understanding that benefits all generations. When we invest in the well-being of our employees, we pave the way for a more resilient and healthier workplace.”
In the national survey of U.S. employers and workers, more than half of working Americans (60%) would like their employer to provide more mental health resources. In addition, they said employers can improve resilience among employees by providing:
- Flexible work schedules (53%),
- New or improved reward & recognition programs (43%),
- Additional learning and development opportunities (34%),
- Financial help during challenging times (33%),
- More or better working accommodations (31%), and
- Mentoring programs and networking opportunities (22%).
More than half of employers (64%) say they would like to provide more mental health resources but do not have the budget. To help fill that gap, The Hartford is providing free mental health education and support for U.S. employers and employees with the help of these leaders in the national mental health movement:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization,
- Active Minds, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms, and
- Milken Institute, the nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable global progress in the areas of health, finance, and philanthropy.
The Hartford and NAMI created a digital guide that outlines how to support someone experiencing a mental health crisis at work. The free resource includes how to spot the warning signs of someone struggling with a mental health condition, when to call 988 instead of 911, and how to support someone returning to work following a crisis.
With The Hartford’s support, Active Minds produced a podcast series and this guide for young adults joining the workforce. Also, thanks to The Hartford, Active Minds is taking its interactive exhibit called Send Silence Packing® to 60-80 colleges and communities this year, reaching more than half a million youth and young adults in the country.
Additionally, The Hartford is collaborating with the Milken Institute on a two-year project about re-defining resiliency and leadership that will produce resources to reinforce whole-person health, adaptability and innovation in the workplace.
“We urge all employers to take proactive steps to dismantle stigma, increase mental health awareness, and provide additional support as part of a collective community response to the mental health crisis,” Swift added. “Together, we can foster hope and improve lives.”
The full report of The Hartford’s 2025 Future of Benefits Study will be released in June.
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