In the midst of today’s stress-laden societal landscape, a recent survey conducted by the Japan Productivity Centre has brought attention to a notable rise in mental health issues among younger employees in connection with their work.
The survey, administered among human resources personnel at listed organizations, uncovered a significant increase in the prevalence of mental health issues among employees in their teens and 20s. The rate surged to a record high of 43.9%, marking a notable leap from the 29% recorded in 2021. Similarly, employees in their 30s saw a rise to a new high of 26.8%.
While the mental health rate for employees in their teens and 20s exhibited a gradual increase since 2008, it had remained relatively stable in the 2017, 2019, and 2021 surveys. The Japan Productivity Centre attributes the sudden spike to the unique challenges faced by younger employees who entered the workforce during the pandemic. The hurdles of building interpersonal connections and acquiring essential work skills amid remote work arrangements have contributed to heightened stress levels.
Beyond individual challenges, the survey sheds light on a broader shift in the perception of mental health within the workplace. The percentage of organizations reporting an increase in mental health issues had been on a decline since 2006, reaching a low of 22.9% in 2021. However, the latest survey reveals a substantial surge to 45% in organizations reporting an increase. This coincides with a decrease in the number of organizations stating that emotional struggles among employees either remained unchanged or decreased, signaling a notable change in the overall mental health landscape in the workplace.
