Why it’s time for employers to shift from crisis response to a culture of mental wellness

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As we reflect on World Mental Health Day, there’s a lot of progress to be proud of. Conversations about mental health are becoming much more common and employers are increasingly looking to incorporate mental health support into their benefit offerings. But despite the progress we’ve seen, there’s still a fundamental misunderstanding about the long-term need for mental health support at work.

In the second year of our research with Forrester Consulting, we found a severe disconnect between employers and employees when it comes to the current standards of mental health support at work. While a vast majority (85%) of employers feel they actively listen to the needs of employees, only 51% of employees agree. Along the same vein, only 46% of employees believe their company invests enough in the mental health of employees, while a significant 81% of employers believe they invest enough.