Working caregivers are looking for organizations that support their overall well-being.
By Gillian Manning
Researchers have described a “youth mental health crisis,” and although the youth aren’t currently in the workforce, their parents are—and they are seeking support.
A new report from Lyra concludes that nearly half of working parents have supported a child or dependent with mental health needs in the past year, and 60% have experienced an increase in stress or burnout as a result. More than a third of those parents report reduced productivity or focus at work because of that stress.
Lyra’s 2026 State of Workforce Mental Health Report surveyed 7,500 employees and 500 benefit leaders. Although 95% of those benefit leaders believe child and teen care are easy to find through their offered benefits, year over year fewer employees say they can access timely child mental health care. Fewer believe that the benefits offered meet their full range of needs.
This is a big opportunity for leaders to increase their retention rates.
Of the employees surveyed, 78% say they would stay at a job because of strong, family-inclusive mental health benefits. Another 54% would consider leaving without mental health benefits.
“There’s a visibility gap—employees don’t always know family support exists. There’s also a capability gap, where services don’t meet the complexity of real needs. Without the right support, caregivers are often forced to step back from work, and families feel the impact immediately,” says Monika Roots, president of health plans and health systems at Lyra.
Lyra recommends leaders:
- partner with vendors that provide evidence-based, specialized care for children and teens;
- equip managers with clear guidance and the flexibility to support working caregivers; and
- treat family mental health as a business priority by measuring focus, absenteeism, and retention.
Other key findings from the report include the following.
- 48% of employees have struggled to access care through their health plan.
- 54% of employees say they’ve struggled to access timely, neurodivergent-informed care for themselves or their family.
- 68% say better support would improve their ability to focus at work.
- 48% of managers have considered leaving their role because of mental health pressure.
- 40% of those surveyed have struggled to access care through their EAP.
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