For Black Americans mental well-being is always complicated by racism, which has been identified as a public health threat. And few venues present more complexity and angst for Black individuals, women, and marginalized groups than the workplace
But experts say the U.S. is grappling with a mental health crisis on the job, a problem that has grown exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic. And while all employees face more barriers to getting mental health support at the office, the hurdle is higher for Black employees.
The news comes as the nation marks Mental Illness Awareness Week and observes October 10 as World Mental Health Day. These annual initiatives aim to mobilize international efforts to support mental well-being.
Waking Hours Spent Working
The theme of this year’s observance,”Mental Health at Work,” comes amid challenging times for mental health: financial pain at the grocery checkout line, a contentious political election season, seemingly relentless gun violence and continued high rates of drug addiction.
“Employed adults spend more time working than any other activity during their waking hours,” Tsuyoshi Akiyama, president of the World Federation for Mental Health, said in a statement. “In a myriad ways, and at its best, work can provide a livelihood and be a source of meaning, purpose, and joy.”
However, “for too many people, work falls far short of its potential, failing to enhance our lives and detracting from our mental health and well-being in ways that result in excessive distress and mental ill health,” she said.
According to the 2024 State of Workplace Mental Health Report, two-thirds of the U.S. workforce experienced mental health stressors that negatively impacted their performance in 2023. The report, produced by Lyra Health, also found that 87 percent of employees faced at least one mental health challenge the year before.
The report also found that 55% of employees surveyed said they had cared for someone under 18 who struggled with their mental health. That’s more than double the percentage of workers — 19% — who said the same the year before.
“For too many people, work falls far short of its potential, failing to enhance our lives and detracting from our mental health and well-being in ways that result in excessive distress and mental ill health.” – Tsuyoshi Akiyama, president of the World Federation for Mental Health
Meanwhile, Black workers face greater barriers to mental health support in the workplace in 2023 compared with workers from all other demographics, according to by The Hartford and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
The research found that Black workers were more likely to rate their mental health as “fair to poor” and more likely to say their company lacked both empathetic leadership and a work environment that encourages discussing mental health issues.
Moreover, “Black workers were more likely than white workers to say they faced racism in the workplace — exclusion, hostility, a culture of inequity, microaggressions, and discrimination — that affected their mental health,” according to The Hartford’s report.
Support Improves Productivity
Many employers are becoming more aware of the problem’s severity and are looking for ways to resolve it. Nearly all HR professionals believe offering employees’ mental health resources can increase productivity, according to research from the SHRM Foundation, the organization’s non-profit arm.
“The importance of putting the mental wellness of our employees first cannot be underscored enough. says Wendi Safstrom, SHRM Foundation president. “HR professionals, employers and people managers alike, she says “can play an important role in the lives of their employees by assisting them in finding the resources they need while simultaneously reducing stigma.”
Management training that considers equity, diversity, and inclusion also supports employee mental health, according to the American Psychological Association. “[Having] a welcoming and safe work climate builds trust among leadership and employees, contributes to job satisfaction, and helps minimize job-related stress,” the organization says.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else who needs emotional support, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Help is available 24/7. TTY users can dial 711 then 988 to get help.
