Survey: What People Know & Need About Mental Health Benefits

We share the survey findings, note six key takeaways and suggest what organizations can do to help encourage people to use their mental health benefits.

Most participants are also familiar with a range of mental and behavioral health benefits, with therapy, crisis support and informational apps being especially well known. At least three-quarters of participants said they’re familiar with all of these benefits except coaching:

At most participants’ workplaces, use of mental health benefits isn’t encouraged — and people rarely discuss these benefits

Here’s a breakdown of responses to a question about which statement is closest to the survey participants’ work experience:

More than half of workers who are caregivers said people are encouraged to use mental health benefits, and it feels normal to do so compared to less than half of workers who are not caregivers.

Normalized use of mental health benefits differs by industry, from a high of 50 percent of workers at professional services firms to a low of 23 percent of workers in construction.

First responders are more likely than office-based workers to say using benefits feels risky or uncomfortable (39 percent vs. 9 percent).

We asked the survey participants what they typically hear at work about mental health benefits. More than half said those benefits are rarely discussed.

Note: The total exceeds 100% due to rounding.

At the survey participants’ organizations, workplace culture about mental health benefits is more silent than negative.

More men (39 percent) than women (26 percent) said people at work rarely or never mention mental health benefits.

Many people have used their mental health benefits but nearly one-third have not

A large majority of the survey participants indicated that either they or a family member has used their mental health benefits.

A greater percentage of women (72 percent) than men (62 percent) said they or a family member has used their mental health benefits.

People’s experiences accessing and using mental health benefits is generally (but not overwhelmingly) positive; however, some people reported various issues

Here’s what the participants told us worked well:

Note: The total exceeds 100% because participants could select multiple options.

Relatively few participants reported these issues with using their mental health benefits:

Why people aren’t using mental health benefits

Most of those who haven’t used mental health benefits don’t feel they need them.

We asked participants: What concern might hold you back from using your mental health benefits? The largest number identified time constraints as a barrier to seeking care.

Note: The total does not equal 100% due to rounding.

Twenty-seven percent of men said they prefer to handle mental health issues alone, while 48 percent of women cited time constraints. More men (20 percent) than women (10 percent) are concerned about confidentiality or privacy.

There’s no consensus on when to use mental health benefits

Participants were close to being evenly divided on whether mental health benefits are appropriate for everyday support or just for serious challenges or a crisis.

* For example, “I can’t function,” “I’m having panic attacks,” “I can’t sleep” or “I’m close to breaking down.”

A much larger percentage of women (64 percent) than men (35 percent) said mental health benefits are appropriate for everyday support. Conversely, a much larger percentage of men (65 percent) than women (35 percent) said mental health benefits are for serious issues or a crisis.

Stress is an issue for workers and has multiple sources

At least half of participants said they had a high degree of stress in the last year related to work, money, mental health symptoms or family/caregiving.

Three percent of participants said none of these issues is a source of stress or that they weren’t sure if these issues are stressors.

Almost all respondents identified a workplace factor that most harms mental health in their workplace. Here’s the breakdown:

Four percent of survey respondents chose “not applicable” for this question.

We asked participants whose source of stress is mostly financial or practical (e.g., money, bills, caregiving and/or housing), how likely they are to think of mental health benefits as something they could use. Here’s what they told us:

Note: 1% are unsure.

More than half of participants worry to a moderate or large extent about the cost of receiving mental healthcare if they needed it.

Note: Less than 1% are unsure.

Better information — about cost, providers and how to access care — might encourage utilization of mental health benefits

Although the majority of survey participants didn’t agree on the one change that would most increase their likelihood of using mental health benefits if they needed care, the greatest percentage of participants identified lower costs and greater cost clarity.

Note: The total does not equal 100% due to rounding.

We also asked the survey participants to select one item that would make them feel most safe about using mental health benefits. The two options selected by the greatest number of participants address concerns about privacy and costs.

Note: The total does not equal 100% due to rounding.

The majority of participants also said clear information is what would increase their trust in their mental health benefits the most.

This is what survey participants told us clear information about mental health benefits should include:

More than three-quarters of survey participants indicated that, if they were struggling, they would involve their managers, with most identifying listening without judgement and respect for privacy as the desired response.

Note: The total exceeds 100% due to rounding.