Stress in America: How workers can care for themselves and how employers must step up

Dr. Kristin Tugman

Division in America is exacerbating stress and loneliness

The American workplace in 2025 is defined by uncertainty, anxiety, and a growing mental health crisis. From economic instability to food insecurity, workers are facing pressures that extend far beyond the office walls. The data paints a sobering picture: stress levels are at historic highs, engagement is at historic lows, and the ripple effects are being felt across families, communities, and organizations.

The Current State of Worker Stress

Recent surveys show that stress among U.S. workers is at all-time high, with only 31% of Employees reporting engagement at work and individual contributors are at an all-time low of 18% engagement according to Gallup’s 2024 US engagement trend and the 2025 State of the Global Workplace survey respectively. This disengagement is not simply about job satisfaction—it reflects deeper fears about the future of the country, economic collapse, and political polarization.

• 77% of Americans reported concern about the nation’s future in 2024 (Stress in America full report, 2024).

• In 2025, 62% of Adults over 18 report stress as a result of societal division (Stress in America full report, 2025).

• 8 in 10 fear for the country’s stability, and 2 in 5 are considering leaving the U.S. altogether (Psychology Today).

• Economic worries are intensifying: fears of financial collapse have risen dramatically, now ranking third among Americans’ top concerns (Popular Science).

• Healthcare affordability compounds stress, with ACA marketplace premiums projected to more than double if enhanced tax credits expire (KFF).

 This climate of uncertainty is not abstract—it translates into daily anxiety, disengagement     at work, and declining mental health.

Food Insecurity and Mental Health

One of the most direct links between economic instability and mental health is food insecurity. Research published in AJMC found that food insecurity causes an immediate increase in anxiety and depression symptoms, while alleviating it reduces symptoms by 20%.

The SNAP program highlights the reality that many food-insecure households are not unemployed, but rather working families living below the poverty line (Food and Nutrition Service, FY 2023). Poor nutrition also drives higher healthcare costs, creating a vicious cycle where stress, illness, and financial strain reinforce one another (UrbanFootprint).

For workers, this means that stress is not just about abstract fears of the economy—it’s about whether they can afford groceries, pay medical bills, and keep their families healthy.

Loneliness, Polarization, and Fear

Beyond financial strain, loneliness and disconnection are emerging as critical issues. The Stress in America report emphasizes that connection is needed more than ever, yet many workers feel isolated. Political polarization adds another layer of distress, with Americans reporting that divisive rhetoric and government dysfunction directly affect their mental health (Psychology Today).

When workers feel disconnected from both their communities and their workplaces, resilience erodes. The result is a workforce that is not only stressed but also deeply uncertain about its future.

What Workers Can Do: Self-Care in Uncertain Times

While systemic issues require systemic solutions, individuals can take steps to protect their mental health. Self-care is not indulgence—it is survival in a high-stress environment.

• Prioritize basic needs: Access to nutritious food, sleep, and exercise are foundational. Workers should explore community resources, food banks, or SNAP benefits if needed and available.

• Set boundaries: With engagement low and stress high, workers must protect their time and energy. This may mean limiting after-hours work or reducing exposure to toxic news cycles.

• Build connection: Loneliness is a silent epidemic. Joining community groups, professional networks, or even virtual support spaces can help restore a sense of belonging.

• Practice stress management: Techniques like mindfulness, journaling, or short breaks during the workday can reduce acute stress.

• Seek support: Therapy, counseling, or peer support groups can provide tools to navigate anxiety and depression. Many employers now offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or other mental health support solutions that workers should take advantage of.

Self-care is not a cure-all, but it is a critical buffer against the relentless pressures of modern work life.

What Employers Must Do: Supporting Mental Health at Work

Employers cannot ignore the mental health crisis. The 2025 NAMI Workplace Mental Health Poll found that workers overwhelmingly want their employers to prioritize well-being. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) echoes this, urging organizations to integrate mental health into workplace wellness strategies.

Key actions employers can take include:

• Normalize mental health conversations: Leadership should openly discuss stress and mental health, reducing stigma and encouraging employees to seek help.

• Provide resources: Access to counseling, EAPs, and mental health benefits must be standard, not optional.

• Address food insecurity: Employers can partner with local organizations to provide meal stipends, grocery cards, or on-site food pantries.

• Offer flexibility: Remote work options, flexible schedules, and generous leave policies help employees manage stress and family responsibilities.

• Invest in engagement: With only 18% of individual contributors engaged, employers must rethink how they motivate and connect with staff. Recognition programs, career development opportunities, and transparent communication can rebuild trust.

• Foster community: Creating spaces for connection—whether through team-building, mentorship, or social events—helps combat loneliness.

Employers who fail to act risk not only the health of their workforce but also the sustainability of their organizations.

Conclusion: Building Resilience in Uncertain Times

The data is clear: American workers are stressed, anxious, and fearful about the future. Food insecurity, political polarization, and economic instability are not just societal issues—they are workplace issues. Self-care can help individuals weather the storm, but employers must step up with meaningful support.

In this time of uncertainty, resilience will come from both sides: workers protecting their mental health, and employers creating environments where well-being is prioritized. The stakes are high, but so is the opportunity. By addressing stress and mental health head-on, we can build workplaces—and communities—that are stronger, healthier, and more connected.

  References

• American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC). Causal Link Found Between Food Insecurity and Mental Health Symptoms in New Data.(2025).

• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Characteristics of SNAP Households: Fiscal Year 2023.

• UrbanFootprint. The State of Food Insecurity: An UrbanFootprint Report. (2021).

• Popular Science. What Americans Fear Most in 2025.

• Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). ACA Marketplace Premium Payments Would More than Double on Average Next Year if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire. (2025).

• Psychology Today. How Political Polarization Affects Our Mental Health. (2025).

• Gallup. State of the Global Workplace Survey 2025.

• Gallup US Employee Engagement. U.S. Employee Engagement Sinks to 10-Year Low (2024).

• American Psychological Association. Stress in America: Full Report 2025.

• American Psychological Association, Stress in America: Full Report 2024.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The 2025 NAMI Workplace Mental Health Poll.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being. (2025)