Despite a growing demand for mental health support in the workplace, many employees feel their needs remain unmet despite available resources, according a poll conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

The second annual Workplace Mental Health Poll, conducted by Ipsos, surveyed full-time employees at companies with 100+ workers, found thatemployees worry they will be judged if they voice their mental health challenges.

For those who say they feel uncomfortable discussing mental health at work, the top five reasons include stigma or judgment around mental health, lack of discussion from colleagues, not wanting to appear weak, fear of losing opportunities or retaliation, and their job’s effect on their mental health.

“This poll makes it clear—employees value mental health resources, but there’s still a disconnect between what’s offered and what’s actually reaching them,” said NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. “Organizations must go beyond simply providing benefits; they need to ensure employees feel comfortable using them.”

More than half of respondents feel comfortable discussing mental health with a close friend at work (81 percent) or their manager (57 percent), and just over half of the workforce (51 percent) believes their company’s C-suite leadership cares about them.

Only two in five (39 percent) respondents feel comfortable sharing with HR, and less than three in ten (28 percent) would share with senior leadership.

This highlights a persistent stigma surrounding workplace mental health discussions, NAMI stated.

“More than nine in ten employees see mental health care benefits as essential to a positive workplace culture—on par with health insurance,” Gillison added. “With rising stress and burnout, companies can’t afford to wait. Prioritizing mental health is not just the right thing to do—it’s a business imperative.”

Only half of the workforce (53 percent) know how to access mental healthcare through their employer-sponsored health insurance, according to the poll.

Consistent with 2024 results, just over 20 percent of respondents receive training about mental health conditions or symptoms at work.

In contrast, over 75 percent of respondents report that further information and/or trainings would benefit their mental health and/or ability to support others’ mental health at work, namely trainings about employer health insurance benefits for mental health treatment (84 percent), stress or burnout management (82 percent), identifying and responding to a mental health crisis (81 percent), mental health conditions, including signs or symptoms (80 percent), other employer resources to support mental health (79 percent), and communicating with coworkers (77 percent).

Correlation Between Mental Health Benefits and Workplace Culture

While a quarter of respondents (26 percent) shared that they do not know whether their employer offers mental healthcare benefits, an employee assistance program, flexible work arrangements, or sick days for mental health, over 80 percent of respondents report these benefits are or would be important to creating a positive workplace culture.

For those who received training about mental health and/or resources available, more than half (57 percent) reported it helped them feel more comfortable talking about mental health with coworkers. That figure jumps to 65 percent for managers.

Many employees and managers report the value of offering trainings and mental health care benefits, providing general mental health education and resources and discussing mental health at work, NAMI stated.

“It takes a commitment for companies to implement mental health education and establish mental health benefits,” said NAMI chief innovation officer Darcy Gruttadaro. “By doing so, organizations will see the individual and organizational impact of increased productivity, connection, and satisfaction amongst employees who are connected to resources.”