According to a recent survey conducted by the SHRM Foundation, there is a significant generational gap in the way employees experience mental health in the workplace. The research shows that millennials and Gen Z workers have a harder time with mental health compared to baby boomers, Generation X, and traditionalists. Out of the 1,000 workers surveyed in March, one in three employees reported that their job has had a negative impact on their mental health in the past six months. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious were the top concerns for 30% and 29% of the respondents, respectively.

The SHRM Foundation’s recent study reveals that younger employees are affected the most when it comes to mental health in the workplace.

According to the survey of 1,000 workers conducted in March, 27% of Generation Z reported feeling depressed by their job at least once per week in the last six months, compared to 18% of millennials, 14% of Gen Xers and 7% of baby boomers and traditionalists.

Younger employees, particularly Gen Z and millennials, reported feeling overwhelmed by work at higher rates than their older counterparts. According to the SHRM Foundation’s research, 42% of Gen Z and 36% of millennials reported feeling overwhelmed, compared to just 20% of baby boomers and traditionalists. Additionally, Gen Z and millennials were more likely to report feeling lonely and disengaged in the workplace.

Employers have increasingly focused on providing mental health benefits to their employees in recent years, but the impact of these offerings is mixed. OneMedical’s latest report highlights that only 20% of employees utilize their mental healthcare benefits, citing reasons such as cost, embarrassment, and lack of time.

However, employees have also emphasized the significance of mental health benefits, which can create mixed signals for employers. While workers have expressed interest in wellness-promoting benefits such as gym memberships, yoga classes, and monthly wellness stipends, mental healthcare benefits are also considered essential.

The younger cohort of Gen Z is exhibiting a proactive approach towards their mental health, as they are well aware of its significance. In a recent survey of the class of 2023, almost all respondents stated that employers should provide mental and emotional health benefits. More than one-third of the respondents even indicated that they prioritize employers that offer such benefits in their job search.

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