How Global Events Reshape Workplace Mental Health

When HR leaders consider what’s behind rising stress and burnout in their organizations, they assess the usual culprits—internal factors like high workloads, pressure to perform, or unclear expectations. 

But what can leaders do when one of the biggest drivers of distress isn’t internal—or even personal?

New research from Modern Health dives into the external, societal-level shifts that employees say are taking a toll on their mental health—and in no small way. The report found: 

• Half of working Americans are pessimistic about the country’s future—a number that jumps to 59% among women
• Current events have overtaken crime and finances as the #1 driver of negative mental health
• 96% of employees say they’re paying close attention to global political and economic turmoil

HR leaders face similar experiences in their own lives: It can be a challenge to fully tune into day-to-day work and routines when the world outside their organization feels uncertain. 

So, while tackling the stress that comes with political division, economic volatility, and global unrest may feel new on a workforce level, the distress—on a personal level—may not be all that surprising. 

“Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s shaped by the world around us. Employees aren’t just dealing with deadlines and team dynamics; they’re managing economic uncertainty, social unrest, and the very real impact of global political instability. The question isn’t whether this affects the workplace—it’s whether employers will acknowledge it and take action.”

– Dr. Mary Odafe, Clinical Psychologist, Modern Health

In 2025, Global Instability is a Workplace Issue

For decades, employers have operated under the assumption that politics and work should stay separate. That’s no longer realistic—or helpful. 

The 24-hour news cycle and constant social media access combined with major political decisions and global events simply don’t allow for clear delineations between what matters on and off the clock. 

Related stress is filtering into the workday in a significant way, influencing morale, culture, and even career decisions.

Modern Health’s research finds:

• 71% of employees say global political tensions make it harder to foster a positive workplace culture
• 74% say political uncertainty is fueling burnout at work
• 61% of Gen Z workers are questioning their career path due to the impact of politics on their mental health

The mental health toll can be especially acute for employees with marginalized identities. Political decisions may directly affect their safety, rights, and well-being, deepening feelings of anxiety and helplessness. 

As clinical psychologist Emma Taylor shares in a virtual session, Coping with Political Uncertainty, “[Political uncertainty] presses on existing wounds, old scars, knowledge that we are not safe in the world in certain ways.”

The Expectation Shift: Employees Want Employers to Step Up

As the emotional strain of global instability grows, employees are looking beyond elected leaders for support: They’re turning to their employers. And they’re not asking for policy positions or political statements. 

Employees are asking for mental health resources that help them cope.

• 74% of employees believe workplaces should offer mental health resources specifically for stress caused by political instability
• 68% say mental health benefits could help mitigate stress stemming from global events

This shift in expectation presents a pivotal opportunity for employers. 

When organizations recognize the emotional toll of the world outside—and offer support to help employees navigate it—they build trust, loyalty, and resilience.

What Employers Can Do Right Now

1. Acknowledge the emotional weight of global events
   Start by naming what’s happening. In times of political or societal stress, even a simple message of acknowledgment can go a long way toward creating psychological safety.
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2. Offer relevant, accessible support options
   Therapy isn’t the only tool. Coaching, group sessions, and on-demand digital resources can help employees process uncertainty and find calm. Consider pointing employees to Modern Health’s on-demand Circle: Coping in Times of Political Uncertainty.
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3. Help employees prepare—not just react
   Stress can spike before, during, and after major political moments, and the most effective mental health strategies support employees at every stage. That means providing access to care not just in moments of crisis but also during periods of personal change, transition, or uncertainty.
   
   Modern Health’s eBook, From Milestones to Crisis: Supporting Employees Through Life’s Challenges, explores how to align mental health benefits with the moments that matter most—from personal upheaval to global instability.

4. Support managers in navigating tough conversations
   Managers are often the first line of support—but few feel equipped to navigate emotionally charged conversations. Give them resources—like this guide to supporting employees after stressful events​—and encourage them to set healthy boundaries for themselves, too.

Support Doesn’t Have to Be Political—Just Human

The bottom line: Political and economic instability aren’t just societal issues anymore—they’re deeply personal, deeply human, and showing up at work in profound ways.

Employers have a unique opportunity to help—not by taking sides, but by supporting people.

Want to dive deeper into what’s driving today’s workplace mental health challenges—and how to respond? Modern Health’s latest research report explores employee sentiments on:

• Their trust in their organizations to provide adequate wellness resources
• Life and stress levels now in comparison to the COVID-19
• How the workplace directly elevates stress levels 

Plus, gain strategic insights into how people leaders can respond to mental health trends.