Study reveals 58% of employees have considered quitting due to mental health struggles

Report underscores the critical role of community, boundaries, and scalable mental health solutions—including AI—in supporting employee wellbeing

SANTA MONICA, Calif.: Headspace, the provider of the world’s most accessible, comprehensive mental health solution, today announced the launch of its seventh annual Workforce State of Mind report, revealing new findings on the perceptions of HR leaders and workers on mental health. Based on a global survey fielded between November 2024 and January 2025, the report compiles insights from more than 2,000 workers in the U.S. and the UK on trends impacting their mental and physical health at work. The report also includes input from nearly 250 HR leaders, highlighting the unique stressors faced by employee benefits decision-makers.

Headspace’s new research indicates that employees need mental health support now more than ever before: 58% of employees have considered quitting their job as a result of their mental health, and 40% of workers report having taken a mental health leave of absence. At the same time, however, healthcare costs continue to rise in an economically tenuous time, and many companies have been forced to reduce health and wellness costs.

“Our research shows that 95% of employees report feeling better after using employer-provided mental health benefits. And we know that when employees feel better, they’re more engaged, productive and invested in their work,” said Lisa Mulrooney Gross, Chief People Officer at Headspace. “At a time when many organizations are facing tough financial decisions surrounding their benefits programs, it’s critical that we don’t lose sight of what’s proven to drive both employee wellbeing and organizational performance. Investing in end-to-end mental health support isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a business imperative that directly impacts the bottom line.”

Key findings from the report include:

Employees work a 5-9 shift in addition to their 9-5, with middle managers struggling the most to set boundaries.

• 71% of employees report working outside of their expected schedule at least weekly, and 75% report being available as needed–even when taking time off from work.
• 62% of executives feel very comfortable enforcing boundaries with work, while only 38% of middle managers and 41% of individual contributors feel the same.
• 92% of employees report that their sleep is negatively impacted by work at least occasionally.

The loneliness epidemic is driving a desire for community and connection at work.

• Over half (57%) of U.S. employees–and 75% of remote workers–report having cried at work, signaling how isolating work stress can be.
• The top benefits that employees said would make them more likely to stay at a job were employee-sponsored team and culture building, as well as professional development and upskilling.
• Nearly 60% of those involved in employee resource groups (ERGs) said they feel a greater sense of belonging and psychological safety within their company, and 45% have found a community and built connections within ERGs.

Organizations are seeking scalable mental health solutions, leading HR leaders to be optimistic about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health benefits.

• 94% of HR leaders are interested in offering mental health benefits that use AI.
• 89% of employees would feel comfortable using mental health benefits that leverage AI.

“Organizations must prioritize mental health by fostering a culture of connection, prevention, and balance. At Microsoft, we recognize that wellbeing isn’t just about support in times of crisis; it’s about creating an environment where employees have the tools to support their mental health every day,” said Kristen Roby Dimlow, Corporate Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards and Performance at Microsoft. “By investing in initiatives that destigmatize mental health, encourage employees to set healthy boundaries, and recharge when needed, we empower our teams to navigate challenges with resilience.”

In addition to a comprehensive overview of the survey data, Headspace’s 2025 Workforce State of Mind report features guidance for leaders to address employee mental health challenges, along with free mental health resources from Headspace’s Mindfulness at Work collection. To download the report, visit get.headspace.com/2025-workforce-state-of-mind.

About Headspace

Headspace is your lifelong guide to better mental health. We make mental health support accessible to everyone, no matter their background or experience. Through our flagship Headspace app, we provide mindfulness and mental health tools for everyday life, like guided meditations, sleepcasts, mindful movement, and mental health coaching. Our enterprise offerings combine this experience with EAP and work-life services, as well as therapy and psychiatry services – all in a single destination. Our team of experts ranges from mental health clinicians to Emmy award-winning producers, and data scientists, working together as one to help millions of people around the world be healthier and more productive. To learn more, please visit headspace.com.

Fonte: Business Wire