Mental Health Index: January 2021

2021 begins with workers getting some needed metal relief, stress drops to pre-COVID level for first time during pandemic

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Following a gloomy report in December, the Mental Health Index revealed that the mental state of U.S. workers improved drastically in January. Multiple other mental capacities improved, particularly for women. These gains, which were largely unexpected after a dismal December, suggest workers may believe their lives and experiences are improving in 2021, and that is lifting their outlook and mental state. Explore the data in this month's report, including highlights such as:

  • Many capacities including stress and risk of general anxiety disorder return to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Workers age 40-59 are struggling more than others, with a 124% high risk of depressive disorder and 37% increase in anxiety levels comparing February 2020 (pre-COVID).
  • A 16% drop in overall stress among working Americans indicates for the first time a reeturnto pre-COVID levels.