We’ve come a long way from the days when people generally viewed mental health care as a subject worthy of secrecy and shame. In a global survey published in May 2025, nearly 75% of respondents say it’s wise to seek support for mental health.
But seeing the wisdom in seeking mental health care doesn’t necessarily mean finding it easy to do so. That same report revealed that, despite a growing awareness of the importance of mental health for well-being, the stigma around asking for help still lingers. Nearly 60% of survey respondents in The State of Stigma report think societal attitudes about mental health discourage people from seeking help.
When stigma leads to mental health needs going unmet, the impact isn’t just personal, it also carries over into the workplace. Engagement, productivity and retention can suffer, while employers face potentially higher health costs because of delayed or neglected care.
“The very symptoms that define some of our common mental health disorders are intimately linked with work performance,” says Russell DuBois, PhD, Vice President, Clinical Quality, Operations & Innovations at BetterHelp, which commissioned The State of Stigma survey.
As DuBois explains, work performance begins to drop when employees start taking extra sick days, making more mistakes and collaborating less effectively with co-workers. According to a 2022 Gallup report, unplanned work absences due to poor mental health costs the U.S. economy an estimated $47.6 billion annually in lost productivity.
For employer organizations, insights drawn from The State of Stigma study offer a blueprint for meaningful intervention to head off some of those negative consequences.
To better understand the beliefs, fears, and cultural narratives that prevent people from seeking mental health care, researchers surveyed more than 16,000 people across 23 countries. The survey was conducted from March 7- March 22, 2025, with survey audiences sampled by Dynata, an independent survey research firm. Total global survey results have a margin of error of <1%.
The stigma preventing many workers from seeking support for mental wellness shows up in three key categories, or “buckets,” as DuBois calls them: cultural, generational and gender-based. Another obstacle that often co-exists with stigma is the barrier to access.
“We know that people still struggle with access, which underscores why companies like BetterHelp can help solve that problem,” he says. “When you have access to a highly scaled, diverse network of therapists, it creates a much easier, more comfortable way for people to access care in different formats.”
Here’s a quick look of some of the most interesting findings from The State of Stigma survey, with related data points and the takeaways for employers.
- Young workers face unique challenges related to mental health care.
Data point: Gen Z is more open about mental health, yet more likely to believe seeking counseling is a weakness (37% vs ~27% for older generations).
Data points: Younger generations are more likely to feel misunderstood by a therapist, and the cost of care is more often a barrier for them.
Takeaway: Employers and health systems must address affordability and ensure therapists are culturally competent to treat younger populations.
- Social media facilitates conversation but also reinforces some negative beliefs.
Data point: Those spending more than four hours a day on social media are more likely to believe mental health care doesn’t improve well-being and to feel judged for seeking help.
Takeaway: Digital engagement is a double-edged sword. While social media can help organizations with de-stigmatizing messaging, they must be careful to counter misinformation.
- Cultural, gender- and Identity‐based differences shape barriers beyond stigma.
Data point: Minority groups face higher barriers related to cost, transportation and provider access.
Data point: People in certain household types— such as those consisting of roommates, multigenerational residents, LGBTQ+ individuals or parents with young children—are more likely to say therapy would help if only they could get it.
Takeaway: Stakeholders should take steps to ensure more culturally responsive care and reduce access barriers.
