More than a third of employees say they’re merely surviving and 69 per cent of benefits leaders report declining performance linked to mental-health challenges, according to a new report by Lyra Health Inc.
The survey of 7,500 employees and more than 500 benefits leaders across multiple countries, including Canada, found more than one in four workers said their mental health declined over the past year, driven by burnout, financial stress, caregiving responsibilities and job insecurity. Serious mental-health needs have also increased 67 per cent over the past year.
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The impact is extending into the workplace, with more than half of employers reporting an increase in mental health-related leave or disability and one in two employees saying they struggle to stay focused or engaged at work.
Managers are also under growing strain, with 54 per cent saying their role has negatively affected their mental health, while nearly half have considered leaving their job. Notably, caregiving pressures are contributing to the trend, with 60 per cent of caregivers reporting burnout and more than a third reporting a decline in productivity.
The report also highlighted a gap in support for neurodivergent employees, with 91 percent of benefits leaders identifying it as a priority but 54 per cent of employees reporting difficulty accessing timely, appropriate care.
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