American workers are facing a mental health crisis, with 76% of workers reporting at least one symptom of a mental health condition. Each year, over 200 million workdays are lost due to mental health conditions, and untreated mental illness costs the U.S. $3.7 trillion each year.

In order for workers to thrive in the future of work, companies must take steps to proactively address and invest in employee mental health, said Eva Borden, president of behavioral health at Evernorth, The Cigna Group’s health services division, in a recent conversation with The Washington Post presented by Cigna Healthcare.

“It's undeniable that post-pandemic, we're seeing a much greater conversation around mental health in the workplace,” Borden said. “When we think about employers recognizing burnout, quiet quitting, lack of connectedness, and the fact that people may not be showing up as their best selves – it’s really important. We’ve found when someone gets the proper type of mental health care, there's a very tangible financial return that can come in a short period of time.”

Investing in mental health is a win-win. Employees who feel cared for are 92% more likely to feel engaged at work, 65% more likely to be loyal, and 56% more likely to be productive at work.

During the conversation, Borden discusses:

• The state of workforce mental health in America: Factors affecting employee mental health and well-being today.
• How leaders can gauge mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and burnout among their workforce, and the tangible impact these issues have on a company’s bottom line.
• The ways Cigna Healthcare works with clients to improve workforce mental health, including the use of data and analytics and improved care coordination. 

Watch the full video conversation below.