Mental Health in the Workplace: What Employers Are Watching in 2026

Employers are shifting how they think about mental health at work. Instead of responding only after burnout or  crisis hits, more companies are investing in prevention, building resilience and coping skills before problems  escalate. 

That shift shows up in what employers are funding: mental health coaching, dedicated mental fitness days,  expanded employee assistance programs, and subsidized therapy or wellness apps. Roughly 41% of employers  plan to increase wellness spending over the next one to two years, with mental health topping the list. 

AI is adding a new layer of stress. A recent global survey of 37,000 workers found that concern about AI-driven  job changes has grown from 28% in 2024 to 40% in 2026, and most employees feel leadership underestimates the  emotional toll of that uncertainty. For employers managing workplace injuries, this matters: unaddressed stress  and anxiety can slow recovery and complicate return-to-work planning. 

Financial stress is also on the list. Rising health care and living costs have pushed financial wellness into the same  conversation as mental health, since employees increasingly see the two as linked. 

For workers' compensation professionals, the takeaway is straightforward. Mental health support isn't separate  from physical recovery, it's part of it. Employers who build in mental health resources alongside physical therapy  and case management tend to see steadier return-to-work outcomes. 

Source: Spring Health, Global Wellness Institute, Forbes Human Resources Council.