October Health – 2025 Report
Work stress in United States 
The leading causes of work-related stress in the United States population include: 1. **High workload and long hours** - Excessive workloads and demands contribute significantly to stress levels. 2. **Lack of control or autonomy** - Employees often feel stressed when they lack control over decisions affecting their roles. 3. **Job insecurity** - Economic uncertainties and fear of job loss are prevalent stressors. 4. **Poor work-life balance** - Difficulty in maintaining boundaries between work and personal life adds to stress. 5. **Demanding workplace culture** - Unrealistic expectations, lack of support, and toxic environments exacerbate workplace stress.
- Work stress Prevalence
- 27.77%
- Affected people
- 15,273,500
Impact on the people of United States
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Physical Health Effects:
- Increases risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Leads to frequent headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue.
- Weakens the immune system, leading to frequent illness.
- Promotes unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating or alcohol use.
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Mental Health Effects:
- Increases risk of anxiety and depression.
- Causes difficulty focusing, memory issues, and irritability.
- Heightens burnout, leading to feelings of detachment or lack of motivation.
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Impacts on Personal Life:
- Strains relationships due to mood changes or reduced quality of interactions.
- Decreases time and energy for family or leisure activities.
- Reduces sleep quality, affecting overall well-being and personal productivity.
Suggest:
- Encourage participation in workplace wellness programs, such as digital support tools like October for group mental health support and sessions.
- Promote stress management techniques like mindfulness, exercise, and better workload management.
Impact on the United States Economy
Effects of High Work Stress on an Economy:
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Reduced Productivity: Employees experiencing high levels of stress are more likely to have decreased focus, efficiency, and overall productivity, directly impacting business outputs.
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Increased Absenteeism: Stress often leads to burnout, mental health issues, and physical illness, causing workers to take more days off, which disrupts workflows.
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Higher Employee Turnover: A stressful workplace can lead to dissatisfaction, causing employees to leave, which increases recruitment and training costs for companies.
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Healthcare Costs: Chronic stress is linked to various health issues, leading to higher medical expenses for both employees and employers, which can strain public and private healthcare systems.
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Loss of Innovation: Stress can stifle creativity and problem-solving abilities, diminishing a company’s and economy’s potential for innovation and growth.
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Economic Costs Due to Disability Claims: Prolonged stress may lead to mental health-related disability claims, increasing costs for governments and insurance systems.
Solutions:
- Promote mental health support at the workplace, such as programs like Panda offering digital group sessions or assessments.
- Encourage work-life balance initiatives to reduce employee stress levels.
What can government do to assist?
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Implement Labor Laws: Enforce comprehensive labor regulations, including reasonable working hours, mandatory breaks, and paid leave to reduce overworking and burnout.
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Promote Work-Life Balance: Offer policies such as flexible working schedules, remote work options, and parental leave to help employees better manage their personal and professional lives.
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Provide Mental Health Support: Encourage workplaces to offer mental health resources, such as counseling, wellness programs, and access to tools like October's digital group sessions and assessments.
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Encourage Fair Wages: Ensure that employees are compensated adequately for their work, reducing financial stress and improving overall well-being.
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Raise Awareness & Training: Organize national campaigns and workplace training programs to educate employers and employees about stress management strategies and recognizing signs of workplace stress.
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Strengthen Job Security: Promote policies that provide stability, such as strengthening unemployment benefits and preventing unjust layoffs, to reduce anxiety related to job volatility.
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Encourage Breaks and Downtime: Advocate for rest periods during work hours and ensure their enforcement to counter burnout.
What can businesses do to assist their employees?
Ways a Company Can Lower Workplace Stress
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Promote Clear Communication
- Set clear expectations for roles and responsibilities.
- Provide transparent updates about organizational changes.
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Encourage Work-Life Balance
- Offer flexible working hours or remote work options.
- Encourage staff to take breaks and use paid time off.
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Provide Mental Health Support
- Offer access to counseling or mental health programs like October's digital group sessions and assessments.
- Train managers to recognize and address signs of stress.
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Foster a Positive Work Environment
- Recognize and celebrate employee achievements.
- Create opportunities for team bonding and support-building activities.
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Manage Workloads Effectively
- Avoid overloading employees with unrealistic deadlines.
- Regularly review team workload distribution to ensure fairness.
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Invest in Professional Growth
- Provide training opportunities to help employees feel competent and grow in their roles.
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Track and Assess Stress Levels
- Regularly survey employees on workplace stress to identify problem areas.
- Use mechanisms like October assessments to evaluate employee well-being.