CHICAGO – (Sept. 19, 2024) – ComPsych® Corporation, the world’s largest provider of mental health and absence management services, today released new data uncovering the significant mental and physical toll that caregiving takes on American workers. A sample analysis of ComPsych’s absence book of business, which covers more than six million people, from January 2022 through June of 2024 found that 20% of people who took a caregiving leave later took a leave for their own medical condition. Among these people, mental health (15%) was the single most common reason for their subsequent medical leave, followed by surgery (11%), pointing to both the mental and physical demands of caregiving.
“We all know caregiving can be extremely challenging, and this new data underscores the very real impact it has on people,” said Dr. Jennifer Birdsall, Clinical Director of ComPsych. “From the emotional drain it can cause to the physical demands of competing priorities or helping another person with basic daily functions, caregiving puts people under a tremendous amount of stress.”
“The data shows one in five people take their own medical leave of absence less than two years after a caregiving leave, which is shocking and should serve as a wakeup call to us nationally,” continued Dr. Birdsall. “There is a caregiving cliff in America that will only get worse as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age and as more and more working adults fall into the ‘sandwich generation’ – caring for both children and older loved ones. It’s vital that we better support and prioritize caregivers, ensuring they’re able to care for themselves both mentally and physically while they also assist their family members.”
The ComPsych analysis shows that more than one in ten of all leaves of absence are taken to care for a family member. Additionally, among ComPsych’s Work-Life cases, in which people can get help with everything from navigating government services to moving assistance, financial planning, finding a lawyer, or booking a vacation, caregiving has been one of the top three most requested services for the past five years in a row. Despite the pervasiveness, challenges with caregiving is a topic many people do not feel comfortable discussing at work. In a recent online survey of more than 500 U.S. adults, ComPsych found that less than a quarter (23%) felt very equipped to support a team member who was struggling with their caregiving role. Seventy-seven percent stated they were either not prepared or only somewhat prepared to support their caregiving colleagues.
Organizations looking to provide more robust support to team members with caregiving responsibilities need to focus on creating psychological safety and a positive mental health culture where caregivers feel championed and safe to ask for help. Strong well-being, behavioral health, and work-life programs and resources can also help caregivers address the emotional, physical and logistical challenges they face.
For more information on ComPsych Corporation and its offerings, please visit www.compsych.com.
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