Supporting the Mental Well-Being of Gen Z Workers
Learn about the complexities young workers face and the steps employers can take to support their well-being.
Video
Description
It is well-documented that the COVID-19 pandemic deepened a mental health crisis, particularly among young people who are early in their careers. Young people entering the workforce have faced many pandemic-related obstacles. These include the shutdown of colleges and universities, the abrupt shift to remote work, and the loss of income or employment opportunities. Nearly half of the 18–24-year-olds surveyed in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 Household Pulse survey reported symptoms of anxiety and depression – which remained consistent whether or not they were employed. In 2023, 50% of adults ages 18-24 reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, with rates even higher among Black and Hispanic young adults. Young people with disabilities have been particularly affected.
As this generation enters the workforce and advances in their career, employers play a vital role in supporting their mental health and well-being. Supporting these workers will allow companies to attract top candidates, prevent the loss of talented workers, and increase productivity and performance. In this EARN webinar, guests will explore some of the complexities young workers face and discuss steps employers can take to support their well-being.
In this webinar, you will also learn more about:
- Benefits of creating a supportive and mental health-friendly workplace for Gen Z workers from all communities
- Tactics for positioning your workforce as “mentally healthy workplaces” to recruit young talent from underrepresented groups
- Policy and practice strategies to help your organization improve and support the mental well-being of young workers
Panelists
- Adith Thummalapalli, Gen Z Engineer, Mental Health and Disability Advocate, City of Salisbury, MD
- Anabel Cloutier-Perez, Clinical Manager, Behavioral Health Unit, The Hartford
- Meg Delp, Director, Workplace Mental Health, Office of Innovation, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Date
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
2–3:30 p.m. ET
Employers play a vital role in supporting the mental health and well-being of young workers.
Webinar Materials
- Panelist Bios (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (PDF)
- Learning Guide
Presenter Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Pledge to Be StigmaFree
- Be StigmaFree: A Guide for Coworkers (PDF)
- Be StigmaFree: A Guide for People Managers (PDF)
The Hartford
- New Research Finds Next-Gen Workers are Most in Need of Mental Health Support, Least Likely to Feel Their Employers Care
- New Study: Black U.S. Workers Face Greater Barriers To Mental Health Support At Work
- New Study Finds Nearly Half of LGBTQ+ Workers’ Mental Health At Work Affected By News, Current Events, Less Likely To Seek Care
EARN Resources
- Workplace Mental Health Toolkit
- Mental Health and Marginalized Communities
- Disability and Diversity at Work
- Supporting Employee Mental Health and Well-Being (Learning Guide)
- Webinar: Strategies to Promote Culturally Competent Mental Health Awareness in Workplaces
Additional Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor: Youth Employment: A Foundation for Mental Health and Well-Being
- National Association of Colleges and Employers: Addressing the Prevalence of Mental Health Issues in Young Professionals
- EY: 2021 Gen Z Segmentation Study Insights Report (PDF)
- American Psychological Association: Gen Z more likely to report mental health concerns
- National Library of Medicine: Generational Differences in Mental Health, Maladaptive Coping Behaviors, and Pandemic-Related Concerns During the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic