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APA 2021 Public Opinion Poll: Workplace

Interviews: 1,000 U.S. Adults age 18 + - Dates: March 26, 2021 - April 5, 2021

Issue Questions

Q1-7. [Asked of full time and part time with benefits] Do you agree or disagree with the following statements about mental health in the workplace?

Ranked by highest percentage.

  Total Agree 2021 Total Agree 2020 Agree Somewhat agree Somewhat Disagree Completely Disagree Not Sure
I know how to access mental health care services through work if I need it 71% 70% 33% 39% 13% 7% 8%
My employer offers sufficient mental health care resources and benefits 65% 68% 26% 38% 15% 9% 12%
I feel comfortable utilizing mental health services with my current employer 64% 67% 27% 38% 17% 9% 10%
I can discuss mental health openly and honestly with my coworkers 56% 65% 18% 38% 22% 13% 9%
I can discuss mental health openly and honestly with my supervisors 56% 62% 23% 32% 22% 13% 10%
I worry about retaliation, or being fired, if I take time off for my mental health 48% 52% 19% 29% 19% 25% 7%
I worry about retaliation, or being fired, if I seek mental health care 43% 43% 17% 27% 22% 27% 7%

Q8. [Ask of those employed] Which of the following types of mental health resources are offered by your employer? Please select all that apply.

  2021 2020
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 28% 39%
Primary care that offers sufficient mental health coverage 28% 34%
Telehealth services that offer virtual mental health through an app, by phone, or video conferencing 22% 27%
Mental health days 14% 18%
On-site mental health care – such as a clinic with therapists on staff 12% 16%
Mental Health training for supervisors and managers 14% -
Mental Health Apps, such as Calm or Headspace 14% -
Other 4% 5%
Don't Know 16% 9%
None of the above 20% 17%

Q9. [Ask of those employed] Beyond what is normally offered, which of the following services or benefits has your workplace offered to help during the coronavirus pandemic?

  2021 2020
Offering access to additional health services 32% 41%
Offering access to additional mental health services 21% 35%
None of these 32% 23%
I don't know what my workplace is offering 14% 18%

Q10. [Ask of those employed] As a result of the pandemic, has your employer become more or less accommodating to your mental health needs?

  2021
More accommodating 54%
Less accommodating 15%
Don't know 31%

Q11. [Ask of those employed] How frequently do you currently work from home?

  2021
All the time 32%
A few days a week 19%
A few days a month 9%
I do not work from home 39%
Don't know 2%

Q12. [Ask of those who work from home at least a few days a month] When you work from home, do you have trouble getting away from work at the end of the day?

  2021
Yes, always 22%
Yes, sometimes 45%
No, never 32%
Don't know 1%

Q13. [Ask of those who work from home at least a few days a month] Do you feel isolated or lonely as a result of working from home?

  2021
Yes, always 17%
Yes, sometimes 48%
No, never 35%
Don't know 1%

Q14. Over the course of the pandemic, has your workplace become more or less supportive of employees who may have mental health issues?

  2021
More supportive 28%
Less supportive 9%
The same as before 33%
Don't know 31%

Note: These findings come from an APA-sponsored online survey conducted March 26 - April 5, 2021, among a sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older. The equivalent margin of error is +/-3.1 percentage points. Contact [email protected] for a copy of the crosstabs for the poll.  

 

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