2025 Workforce State of Mind

Report

The Workforce State of Mind in 2025

Headspace reveals the latest trends in mental health at work and how to support your teams.

 

As employees navigate increasingly complex lives, they’re looking to their employers for mental health support. Now more than ever, it’s critical to understand their needs. Our latest Workforce State of Mind report explores how organizations can build a healthier, more productive business by supporting employee mental health.

We surveyed more than 2,000 employees and HR leaders, and some notable trends bubbled to the top: companies can benefit from building community, choosing EAPs with preventive, proactive mental health support, and embracing AI in mental health. 

Get a sneak peek at the top trends below, and download the full report for all five trends and actionable insights. See how leading HR teams are responding to these trends in our upcoming webinar.

Mental health related leaves

Mental health leaves of absence are on the rise

 

More employees are taking mental health-related leaves of absence than ever before. While HR leaders report having policies in place to support employees and their surrounding teams during these leaves, workers aren't feeling supported. 

 

62% of employees didn't feel supported when discussing their mental health-related leave of absence. 56% of employees that took leave did not feel fully supported upon returning to work.

Limited-Time Access: Support Your Team's Wellbeing with our Mindfulness at Work Collection

For a short time, we're unlocking exclusive content from our Mindfulness at Work Collection to help employees build mental resilience and navigate workplace stress. Start with this Ask a Therapist video, where Samantha Edu, LPC, shares practical tips to cure burnout and sustain wellbeing. Share this link with your team so they can explore the full collection.

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Organizations need ways to better support employees with different mental health needs

 

For many employees, one-on-one therapy or psychiatry alone may not be the right type of support for their needs. Accessible, engaging, and everyday tools can help.

 
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  58%

of employees have considered quitting their job as a result of their mental health

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   67%

of HR leaders report that the most important offering in an EAP is their mental health support

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  95%

of employees who used employer-provided mental health benefits said they felt better

“When employees feel disconnected in the workplace, it can significantly impact productivity, engagement and overall well-being. But that also means organizations have a real opportunity to create a stronger workplace culture and more connected teams. As a firm, Edward Jones is committed to fostering a culture of engagement and belonging through ongoing investments in every aspect of associate well-being – mental, emotional, physical, financial and social. Initiatives like our partnership with Headspace help ensure our associates feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.”
Patrick Chanod
Principal, Human Capital, Well-being Center of Excellence, Edward Jones
“A lot of traditional EAPs focus just on therapy, but we knew our team needed more than that. Sometimes it’s coaching, sometimes it’s a meditation or a sleepcast to unwind after a long shift. We wanted to make mental health support feel natural and accessible—something people could use every day, not just in a crisis. That’s what made Headspace EAP stand out for us.”
Lisa Mosby
Chief People Officer, bartaco
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AI in mental health

HR leaders and employees alike are ready for AI in mental health

 

At a time when budgets for mental healthcare can be tight, there is a key opportunity to utilize AI as a way to more efficiently scale support. AI integrations can complement therapy, psychiatry, and skill-building.

 

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  94%
 

of HR leaders are interested in offering mental health benefits that use AI

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  89%
 

of employees would feel comfortable using mental health benefits with AI

“The operational efficiency, productivity and employee satisfaction opportunities that exist when integrating AI into employee support programs are compelling. Even more exciting is the potential of AI to personalize support at scale, paving the way for a future where healthier outcomes for employees aren’t only possible, but accelerated.”
Jeff Scott
Managing Director, Benefits, Wellness, Performance and Recognition, Bank of Montreal
“Organizations must prioritize mental health by fostering a culture of connection, prevention, and balance. At Microsoft, we recognize that wellbeing isn't just about support in times of crisis; it’s about creating an environment where employees have the tools to support their mental health every day. By investing in initiatives that destigmatize mental health, encourage employees to set healthy boundaries, and recharge when needed, we empower our teams to navigate challenges with resilience.”
Kristen Roby Dimlow
Corporate Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards and Performance, Microsoft
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Download the full report