Your work may be hurting your mental health

A drastic new study of over half a million American workers reveals harsh differences in mental health outcomes based on where people work and what they do to make a living.

the study, Published on Jama Network Openindicating that your industry and occupation can have a significant impact on your risk of depression and psychological distress.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data from 536,279 workers in 37 states between 2015 and 2019.

Workers in the service industry hit the hardest

Accommodation and foodservice workers faced some of the highest percentages of mental health struggles. One in five (18.4%) reported a lifelong diagnosis of depression. This is significantly higher than the average of 14.2% for all workers. These same employees also showed an increase in the rate of frequent mental distress and what researchers called “extreme distress.”

Retail workers weren’t that good, so depression rates were 15% higher than those in administrative work. Healthcare support staff, food service workers and sales employees all reported above average levels of frequent mental distress.

The pattern is expanded not only to occasionally feel blue. Food preparation and serving workers reported extreme distress defined as inadequate mental health for all 30 days of the month at a rate of 6.9%, compared with 4.1% of all total workers.

Amazing Mining Paradox

It’s where the story gets complicated. Industries such as mining, construction and manufacturing showed some of the lowest reporting rates for depression diagnosis. For example, male miners reported depression in just 5.7%, compared to nearly 10% in other industries.

However, this obvious mental health benefit tells only part of the story. In their analysis, Chief Investigator Aaron Sassell and his team have the highest suicide rates of any occupation in America. This contradiction suggests that male-dominated manual labor industry may face unique barriers to mental health care and diagnosis.

Researchers suggest that mental health care stigma may be limited access to services in rural and remote work locations.

Demography is more important than you think

This study revealed significant disparities across demographic groups that are true regardless of industry. Women reported that depression rates almost doubled in males (19.5% vs. 9.8%). Young workers between the ages of 18 and 34 showed a higher proportion of all measured mental health issues, as well as workers who have never divorced, separated or married.

Perhaps most important: workers without health insurance had a significantly higher rate of frequent mental and extreme distress, but a higher rate of diagnosed depression. This suggests that many uninsured workers may be suffering from undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues.

Creative and caring professions face unique challenges

Some of the highest depression rates have emerged in occupations that focus on helping others and creatively express themselves. Community and Social Services workers tops on the list with 20.5% followed by arts, design, entertainment, sports and media workers. Healthcare support staff and personal care workers also showed an increase in interest rates.

The findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that jobs that require jobs that require care for others, manage difficult social situations, or perform for viewers may extract specific psychological sacrifices.

What this means for workers and employers

This study reinforces that the workplace is not just a neutral environment in which people spend their days. Working conditions, stress levels, social dynamics, and even industry culture seem to have measurable effects on mental health.

For workers, the findings suggest that paying attention to mental health may be partly professional rather than personal. Industry and roles that exhibit higher distress rates could benefit from additional mental health resources or workplace changes.

For employers, data creates a business case for workplace mental health programs. Researchers found that in all demographic groups, workers with depression reported days three to five times more mentally unhealthy than their non-depression colleagues.

As Sussell and his colleagues conclude, more research is needed to understand exactly which workplace factors drive these differences. But the evidence is clear. Where you work and what you do to live may lead to your mental health more than previously recognized.

This study is one of the biggest analyses of workplace mental health done to date, and offers a rare comprehensive view of how different jobs affect the psychological health of the American industry.

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