Young professionals now dominate the U.S. workforce — making up over 50% of the current labor market.ⁱ For employers, understanding and addressing the mental health and wellness challenges facing this young workforce has never been more essential or timelier.

While mental health challenges are real and present for younger employees, so is the desire for work that is engaging and meaningful.

A Deloitte survey revealed the scope of mental health and wellness challenges facing young professionals and the dynamics that inspire them:

• 40% of Gen Z and 35% of Millennial workers report feeling stressed or anxious "all or most of the time."ⁱⁱ
• Depression is the top health concern for Millennials.ⁱⁱⁱ
• 85% of Millennials would take a pay cut to work for a company whose mission and values align with their own.^iv
• Almost half of young professionals say not deriving a sense of meaning from work contributes to their negative mental health.^v

How to both support mental health needs and contribute to culture that motivates prominent workforce is the focus of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation’s Center for Workplace Mental Health’s newly released resources including the Workplace Playbook and Resource Guide: Addressing the Needs of Early to Mid-Career Professionals.

With the generous support from Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the Playbook and easy reference resources offer an understanding of the distinctive viewpoints and experiences of young professionals can guide your organizations efforts to create an inclusive, supportive, and responsive environment.

Workplace Playbook and Resource Guide: Addressing the Needs of Early to Mid-Career Professionals

Playbook and Resource Guide includes up-to-date survey data, recommendations, and best practices for employers and other business leaders, as well as tools for young professionals to support them as they navigate workplace mental health challenges.

Download the Playbook (.pdf)

Mental Health Needs: Early to Mid-Career Professionals

Highlights survey findings related to the mental health difficulties young professionals may experience at work as well as the importance they give to having purpose-driven meaningful work.

Download Here (.pdf)

Addressing the Mental Health Needs: Early to Mid-Career Professionals

A quick reference to the survey results revealing the work-related contributors to anxiety and stress among young professionals.

Download Here (.pdf)

Best Practices: Early to Mid-Career Professionals

A guide to best practices for strengthening a workplace culture that supports the mental health needs of younger professionals, embodies a sense of trust and gives employees a sense of purpose.

Download Here (.pdf)

References

1. U.S. Department of Labor
2. Deloitte Global. (2024). 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey. https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-shared/docs/campaigns/2024/deloitte-2024-genz-millennial-survey.pdf?dlva=1
3. Blue Cross Blue Shield. (2020). Working Towards a Healthier Millennial Generation. https://healthbenefitinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/B2BMC-Millennial-Health-eBook-National.pdf
4. Mejia Z. (2018, June 28). Nearly 9 out of 10 millennials would consider taking a pay cut to get this. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/27/nearly-9-out-of-10-millennials-would-consider-a-pay-cut-to-get-this.html
5. Deloitte Global. (2024). 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey. https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-shared/docs/campaigns/2024/deloitte-2024-genz-millennial-survey.pdf?dlva=1

More References