With over 50,000 monthly searches querying mental health over the past year, Blue Monday – the so-called ‘most depressing day of the year’ – (20th January) highlights just how critical employee wellbeing has become for businesses.
Research shows that workplaces supporting mental health enjoy increased productivity and reduced absenteeism, emphasising the clear advantages of investing in wellbeing [1].
In response, digital PR agency Reboot Online analysed thousands of job adverts to identify the industries excelling – and struggling – in offering mental health benefits such as employee assistance programs and mental health first aid. With expert advice on how businesses can improve, explore how your industry compares.
The industries investing the most in employee mental wellbeing:
| Ranking | Industry | Total job advertsmentioning mental health | Percentage of mental health-relatedkeywords across all industries |
| 1 | Technology, Information and Media | 8,884 | 23.56% |
| 2 | Hospitals and Health Care | 7,651 | 20.29% |
| 3 | Professional Services | 4,894 | 12.98% |
| 4 | Retail | 2,172 | 5.76% |
| 5 | Manufacturing | 1,892 | 5.02% |
| 6 | Consumer Services | 1,662 | 4.41% |
| 7 | Education | 1,489 | 3.95% |
| 8 | Construction | 1,300 | 3.45% |
| 9 | Accomodation Services | 1,157 | 3.07% |
| 10 | Administrative and Support Services | 1,139 | 3.02% |
| 11 | Entertainment Providers | 1,133 | 3.00% |
| 12 | Financial Services | 973 | 2.58% |
| 13 | Government Administration | 864 | 2.29% |
| 14 | Utilities | 790 | 2.09% |
| 15 | Transportation, Logistics and Storage | 692 | 1.83% |
| 16 | Wholesale | 423 | 1.12% |
| 17 | Oil, Gas, and Mining | 357 | 0.95% |
| 18 | Real Estate and Equipment Rental Services | 147 | 0.39% |
| 19 | Farming, Ranching, Forestry | 96 | 0.25% |
Leading the pack, the Technology, Information, and Media industry stands out with 8,884 job ads featuring mental health-related keywords—representing 23.56% of all such ads across industries. Key benefits like health insurance (28.49% across all industries) and employee assistance programs (19.08%) dominate the offerings. Although perks like yoga classes (3.24%) and meditation spaces (0.36%) are less common, the sector’s overall focus on mental health reflects its progressive approach to employee wellbeing.
These efforts align with the industry’s broader adoption of flexible working arrangements, high salaries, and remote work, all of which contribute to improved mental health outcomes. A study by Forbes notes that happiness levels increase by 20% when employees can work remotely—an advantage readily available in tech roles.
In a sector directly linked to care and wellbeing, it’s no surprise that Hospitals and Healthcare rank second with 7,651 job ads including mental health-related benefits. Health insurance (25% across all industries) and mental health training (18.56%) are among the top offerings, alongside mental health days (20.27%). Despite the high-stress environment, these initiatives highlight the industry’s recognition of its workforce’s mental health needs, accounting for 20.29% of all mental health-related job ads.
Professional Services comes in third with 4,894 relevant job ads, comprising 12.98% of all such listings. The standout offering here is health insurance, appearing in 35.41% of its ads, significantly higher than other benefits like employee assistance programs (13.53%) and mental health days (11.89%). The sector’s emphasis on robust benefits packages likely stems from its competitive landscape and high employee expectations.
At the opposite end of the spectrum lies Farming, Ranching, and Forestry, with just 96 job ads featuring mental health-related keywords—amounting to a mere 0.25% of all ads analyzed. While employee assistance programs (33.33%) and health insurance (34.38%) feature prominently, other resources like yoga classes or wellness apps are entirely absent in the mental health keywords related to this industry. This stark contrast highlights a significant gap in mental health support within the sector.
Shai Aharony, CEO of Reboot Online comments: “Prioritising mental health is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s a critical component of long-term business success. A workforce that feels supported is more resilient, creative, and motivated, leading to higher productivity and innovation. Employers that prioritise mental wellbeing not only attract top talent but also reduce absenteeism and turnover, ultimately gaining a competitive edge in their industries. Investing in mental health is a smart business strategy that not only benefits employees but also safeguards business outcomes, creating a resilient workforce that drives sustainable growth.”
