ComPsych Corporation, the world’s largest provider of mental health and absence management services, has 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 2024 finds that 20% of people who took a caregiving leave later took leave for their own medical condition. Among these people, mental health (15%) is 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,” says 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 ComPsych analysis shows that more than one in ten of all leaves of absence are taken to care for a family member. Despite the pervasiveness, challenges with caregiving are a topic many people do not feel comfortable discussing at work. In a recent online survey of more than 500 U.S. adults, ComPsych finds that less than a quarter (23%) felt very equipped to support a team member who was struggling with their caregiving role. More than three-quarters (77%) state they are 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.
