New data shows that the number of mental health leave days taken by employees has skyrocketed—up 300% from before the pandemic. New reports from Mercer, ComPsych, and Jobseeker show a steep increase in mental health leave. The share of employees using this leave jumped from 2% in 2019 to 8% in 2024. The move is a major breakthrough for the changing attitudes toward mental health in the workplace.
The report highlights a broader trend. Employees who do not utilize available mental health services have seen their leave lengths increase by 12%. This highlights that engagement with behavioral health resources likely has an important impact on managing absences proactively and reactively.
Shifting Perspectives on Mental Health
With the pandemic, it’s all changed—especially the way absence is managed in today’s workforce. Paul Posey, CEO of ComPsych, noted that “the pandemic fundamentally reset norms in absence management for employers.” What the employees think about their workplace’s mental health language has changed 100%. Recently, a stunning 77% considered it an indispensable element of overall job satisfaction.
In response to these shifts, countless employers have increased their focus on improving support mechanisms. This involves rolling out new systems to advance the wellness of their employees. In particular, Posey noted an alarming trend. In this ‘new normal,’ we’re seeing increased rates of leave everywhere, especially involving mental health. It’s time for employers to rethink their number blind approach to absence management. They further must pay attention to the holistic well-being of employees in order to cultivate prosperous workforces.
The Impact of Employee Assistance Programs
The data indicates a strong and clear connection between employee assistance benefits and shorter leave times. In fact, research has indicated that employees on pregnancy leave who utilize behavioral health services return to work 15% faster. In comparison, individuals who do not use these resources are more likely to have extended leaves of absence.
Dr. Jennifer Birdsall, Chief Clinical Officer at ComPsych was very encouraged by these findings. She stated, “It’s especially encouraging to see this remains true regardless of the leave reason – mental health, physical, parental – as it demonstrates investing in well-being is beneficial across diverse employee populations and life events.”
Additionally, the results show that when employees use mental health services, they come back to work faster. The report explains that if people can get into behavioral health services, it can dramatically reduce the length of leave. This speeds up getting Americans back to work.
The Future of Workplace Mental Health
As all organizations and their employees emerge from the profound challenges of the past few years, it’s evident employees’ mental wellness must be an immediate focus. Employers are beginning to understand the demand for more robust mental health support, including paid time off and wellness related programming. This strong focus on these initiatives shows an overall dedication to creating a healthier workplace.
The recent data from Mercer, ComPsych, and Jobseeker should serve as a wake-up call for employers. Now’s the time for them to take a hard look at their employee health tactics and approaches. Given that mental health support is increasingly key to employee fulfillment, organizations need to make it a priority to evolve and improve their programs.
