How often have you heard someone say, “Life is so stressful these days”? We joke about it in coffee lines, scroll through memes about it, and might even discuss it at family dinners. But is the stress truly worse now? According to Ipsos’ recent survey, it seems that stress in the U.S. isn’t just a casual complaint. For many, it’s taking a serious toll.
Just over three in five Americans (62%) say they’ve felt stress so intense it disrupted their daily life.
Think about that.
Nearly two-thirds of people have days when they struggle to get through.
62% of Americans have felt stress so intense it disrupted their daily life.
Who is Feeling the Stress?
The truth for many Americans is that daily life is significantly affected by stress. It's a bit like walking around with a low phone battery—most of the day, you're just hoping you don’t completely shut down. This kind of stress can make you forget plans, avoid activities, or even feel too overwhelmed to function
A significant number of Gen Z respondents (46%) and Millennials (41%) shared that stress gets in the way of their daily routines. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of U.S. women say their stress level interferes with daily life multiple times throughout the year. Nearly half of Gen Z women in the U.S. reported feeling sad or hopeless for days or even weeks at a time.
Why are young people, particularly women, feeling so down?
Is it the digital world?
The constant comparison on social media?
Or maybe the economic pressures?
Whatever the cause, the numbers show a real need for more support targeted toward younger women and men alike.
25% of Gen Z Americans have skipped work multiple times in the past year due to stress.
Taking Time Off Work to Cope with Stress
Feeling overwhelmed by stress can even make getting to work a daunting challenge. Over one in five Americans say stress has kept them out of work for a period.
Among Gen Z, this number is even higher. More than one in four Gen Z respondents (25%) reported skipping work due to stress, not just once but multiple times over the past year.
How are workplaces adjusting to support mental health? As younger workers are facing these kinds of challenges, some companies are beginning to address well-being and mental health in the workplace. From wellness programs to flexible time off, there's room for support to improve your work-life balance.
Is Mental Health Getting the Same Attention as Physical Health?
While about three in four Americans (76%) believe mental health is as important as physical health, many feel healthcare providers don’t see it that way.
Around 41% of people think physical health takes priority during their healthcare experiences, while only 13% believe mental health has gotten the same attention.
This perception gap could be one reason people hesitate to seek mental health care. No one wants to feel like their struggles aren’t taken seriously. It highlights a need for healthcare systems that don’t just treat the mind as an “add-on” to the body but prioritize it equally.
Only 13% of Americans feel that mental health has gotten the same attention as physical health during their healthcare experiences.
The Top Health Concern in America
Here’s the big surprise: Mental health has now climbed to the top of the list for U.S. health concerns, surpassing even cancer and obesity. Nearly half of Americans (45%) say mental health is their number one healthcare worry. This marks a shift from only a few years ago, when physical illnesses topped the list.
If so many people are this concerned, it’s clear there’s a call for more support, more awareness, and more access to help.
What Does the Future Hold for Mental Health in America?
Ipsos’ data gives us a picture of what Americans are likely feeling. Stress is widespread, and while mental health is now openly discussed, the need for real, accessible support is only growing. This is a chance to make mental health care as common and accepted as any other type of healthcare.
For individuals, that might mean exploring resources like counseling or wellness apps. For workplaces, it could mean creating open spaces for mental health discussions, updating benefits, or finding ways to help employees find a better work-life balance.
At the end of the day, Americans are looking for support.
Join the conversation with Ipsos iSay and make your voice heard by taking surveys on these issues and more. Visit your dashboard today and share your perspective!
The Ipsos research shared in this article has been sourced from: https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/ipsos-world-mental-health-day-report
