Anxiety skyrocketing to become the top problem for American workers

Currently, the work pressure and fatigue faced by American workers have reached historic highs. According to a work and well-being study conducted by the American Psychological Association, a survey of 1501 employees showed that 79% of respondents experienced work-related stress in the month prior to the survey, with two-thirds of employees reporting that this stress caused them to lose interest in their personal interests. In addition, 36% of people reported experiencing cognitive fatigue, 32% felt emotional fatigue, and 44% felt physical fatigue. Psychologists generally believe that American society is experiencing the psychological impact of collective trauma, with global conflicts, racism, large-scale shooting incidents, climate related disasters, and economic turbulence all putting enormous pressure on the mental health of the American workforce in 2024.

Firstly, anxiety has become the primary challenge faced by American workers, surpassing depression, stress, partner/relationship issues, and family issues. In 2023, nearly a quarter of people seeking mental health assistance did so to obtain help to alleviate anxiety, and this leap is particularly noteworthy because anxiety did not rank among the top five problems faced by Americans until 2017.

According to Dr. Richard Zeffield, founder, chairman, and CEO of ComPsych, "The current level of anxiety in society is higher than five years ago. Considering the current world situation, this is not surprising. From the ongoing impact of the pandemic to internal strife, increasingly serious political divisions, global turmoil, border crises, rising crime rates, the popularity of artificial intelligence, and the unpredictable economic situation, these macro factors not only affect interpersonal and personal situations, but also have a significant impact on people's mental health."

And this trend is particularly important for business leaders, especially considering the surge in absenteeism rates related to mental health in recent years. According to ComPsych's data, the number of such absences has increased by 300% since 2017, so helping employees cope with these emotions is an action that business leaders must take. Companies investing in employee resources will ultimately benefit from attracting and retaining a healthier and more productive workforce, thereby achieving a win-win situation for both employees and the company.

Secondly, stress drives Americans to heavily use anti anxiety drugs and other mental health medications. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, 15.8% of American adults used prescription drugs to treat mental health issues; By 2022, this proportion has increased to 24%, indicating a trend of people turning to medication to alleviate stress and anxiety. However, some mental health drugs have significant side effects and safety hazards, including the risk of misuse, overuse, addiction, and even death. For example, benzodiazepines are a type of sedative commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, but their use may lead to misuse and addiction.

In addition, there are certain differences in the distribution of work pressure. 60% of people reported significant differences in their stress levels, which are particularly common among women, low-income families, young people, and people with disabilities.

Overall, the anxiety of American workers is nearing its peak, and both the government and businesses must attach great importance to it. Work pressure is an important source of stress, and if not controlled, it can lead to anxiety and other adverse effects on physical and mental health, workplace productivity, and career opportunities. Although employers have a responsibility to create a stress free work environment, employees are also responsible for their own work health, which is crucial for long-term physical and mental health and career development.