WebMD Health Services Report: Employee Mental Health Continues to Dip--and Many Feel Employer Support Falls Short

New Survey Finds Only 1 in 4 Employees Strongly Agree Their Employer Cares About Their Well-Being

PORTLAND, Ore., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Employee well-being and mental health have declined over the past year, and fewer employees feel that their organizations' care about their well-being, according to a new study from the WebMD Health Services Center for Research.

Workplace Well-Being in 2025, released today, is based on the 2025 Workplace and Employee Survey—an initiative designed to better understand the dynamics surrounding employees and their perceptions of well-being, work, and the workplace.

Click here to view the full Workplace Well-Being in 2025 report.

Mental Health Struggles Persist as Employees Feel Less Supported at Work
There was a 14-point drop from 2024 to 2025 in the percentage of employees reporting "Excellent" mental health. Female employees rated their mental health lower than male employees, with the largest gaps seen among Gen Z and Millennial workers—differences of 21% and 19%, respectively. These disparities may reflect life transitions more common in these age groups, including early career pressures and caregiving responsibilities. By identifying these vulnerable populations, employers have an opportunity to tailor mental health interventions to those most in need. "The decline in employee mental health over the past year is a clear signal that organizations must prioritize well-being and support systems more than ever," said Erin Seaverson, Senior Director of the Center for Research at WebMD Health Services. "As the workplace continues to evolve, fostering an environment that values mental health is essential to not only support employees but also to drive organizational success."

Work and Life Pressures Both Impact Mental Health
Employees with better mental health reported higher levels of engagement, a stronger sense of belonging, and more positive perceptions of organizational care. Additionally, mental health was found to be positively correlated with life satisfaction and negatively correlated with life stress. These findings highlight the need to view mental health as interconnected with both work and personal life.

Employee Perception of Organizational Support Remains Low
Only 25% of employees strongly agree that their organization cares about their well-being. The study found that this perception has declined by 5% from 2024 to 2025, signaling increased uncertainty or dissatisfaction with workplace well-being support. Perceptions of care vary across industries, work arrangements, and roles, with senior leaders being 28 percentage points more likely than individual contributors to agree that their organization cares about their well-being. This disconnect is crucial to address, as leaders play a key role in shaping organizational culture. Identifying and addressing these gaps will help create a more consistent experience for all employees.

The Impact of Organizational Care Extends Beyond the Workplace
Employees who feel cared for are more likely to thrive—both professionally and personally. Those with a strong perception of organizational care report 56% higher engagement, 37% lower burnout, and greater retention compared to those who feel less supported. Outside of work, they also experience higher overall well-being and life satisfaction. "Investing time and energy into building a strong culture of care is a smart strategic decision for any organization," said Seaverson. "The impact of organizational care is profound, both within the workplace and beyond. Care truly matters."

Survey Methodology
The online survey, conducted by the WebMD Health Services Center for Research, gathered responses from more than 4,000 full-time employees based in the United States. It gathered data on five core concepts related to employee experience, including well-being and mental health, organizational care, employee engagement, burnout, and quality of life. Additional data gathered included individual demographics and job-related details, along with organizational factors, including industry sector, organization size, work arrangement, employee role, and tenure. The margin of error for the survey was +/- 2%.

About WebMD Health Services
WebMD Health Services, a part of WebMD Health Corp., has over 25 years of experience driving positive behavior changes. Consumers trust WebMD for reliable, accurate, and clear answers to their most pressing health-related questions. At WebMD Health Services, we tap into these valuable consumer insights to design and implement successful, engaging solutions to help individuals meet their wellbeing needs. We understand that there are numerous paths to reach wellbeing goals. Our expertise, combined with a variety of third-party partner integrations, enables us to deliver unique and personalized experiences across a wide range of industries. See how we support these diverse populations at webmdhealthservices.com. 

About WebMD Health Corp.
WebMD Health Corp., an Internet Brands company, is at the heart of the digital health revolution that is transforming the healthcare experience for consumers, patients, healthcare professionals, employers, health plans and health systems. Through public and private online portals, mobile platforms, and health-focused publications, WebMD delivers leading-edge content and digital services that enable and improve decision-making, support and motivate health actions, streamline and simplify the healthcare journey, and improve patient care.

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SOURCE WebMD Health Services