For Immediate Release From U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy!
Many of today’s younger workers—Gen Zs born between 1997 and 2012—grew up more comfortable talking about mental health issues than previous generations. But they also have significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression. Understanding this generational shift can help employers support young workers and attract and retain top talent. ODEP’s learning guide “Supporting the Mental Well-Being of Gen Z Workers” outlines proactive steps employers can take to foster supportive, mental health-friendly workplaces that benefit employees and the organization as a whole.
Learning Guide: Supporting the Mental Well-Being of Gen Z Workers
Learn how employers can create a supportive and mental health-friendly workplace for all workers, including “Gen Z” workers.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 Household Pulse Survey, nearly half of 18-24-year-olds surveyed reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, and this was true whether or not they were employed.
Members of “Generation Z,” born from 1997-2012, are transitioning into the workplace and bringing a focus on mental health and well-being. Creating a supportive and mental health-friendly workplace for all workers, including “Gen Z” workers, can help employers attract top candidates, retain talented workers, and increase productivity and performance. Employers can position themselves as mental health-friendly workplaces to recruit young talent, including those with disabilities.
Organizations across multiple industries can support young workers’ mental well-being through various policy strategies, such as:
Promoting open communication to reduce stigma around mental health issues.
Offering mental health resources and employee assistance programs (EAPs).
Providing flexible work arrangements and time off for mental health needs.
Encouraging work-life balance and setting clear boundaries between work and personal life.
Providing training for managers to support employees who disclose mental health challenges.
Fostering a culture of belonging.
Policy to Practice Quick Tips
Mental health-friendly workplaces benefit all workers. Here are tips for ensuring your workplace policies include support relevant to the mental health and well-being of young workers:
1) Lead by example. Encourage senior leaders to openly discuss mental health and model a
healthy work-life balance. When possible, ensure young workers have opportunities to hear
about this directly from senior leaders.
2) Communicate available resources. Make sure young workers are aware of mental health
resources and how to access them. Communicate this information often through channels used
by young people.
3) Normalize mental health conversations. Create a safe space for employees to discuss mental
health concerns without fear of stigma or repercussions. Help young workers connect with
more senior colleagues who have experience navigating challenging work situations.
4) Offer flexibility. Ensure all employees can take advantage of flexible work arrangements,
including time off policies, to accommodate mental health needs. Help young workers
understand how to use flexible work arrangements to ensure work-life balance.
5) Foster connections. Encourage social support and connections among young workers,
particularly in remote or hybrid work environments.
6) Provide targeted support. Recognize the unique challenges young workers face and offer
tailored support and resources.
7) Continuously evaluate and improve. Regularly assess the effectiveness of mental health
initiatives to ensure they are effective for younger workers and make any necessary
adjustments.
Resources to Support Mental Health and Well-Being in the Workplace:
EARN Mental Health Resources
Workplace Mental Health Toolkit
https://askearn.org/page/mental-health-too... Find resources to support the mental health and well-being of all workers.
Mentally Healthy Workplaces Checklist
https://askearn.org/publication/checklist-... This checklist reviews the basic aspects of a mental health-friendly workplace.
EARN Training, Videos, and Research
Creating a Mental Health-Friendly Workplace
https://askearn.org/learning-center/course... This short training explores strategies employers can use to support their employees’ mental health and well-being and create a mental health-friendly workplace.
Job Accommodations
Accommodation and Compliance
https://askjan.org/disabilities/Mental-Hea... Mental Health Conditions: This resource from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides information about mental health conditions. It also contains information about accommodations to support success at work for people with mental health conditions. JAN is an ODEP-funded technical assistance center.
Related Research Articles
Defining Generations
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/20... Where Millennials End and Generation Z Begins: This research brief from the Pew Research Center
https://www.pewresearch.org/ describes how generations are defined and lists some fundamental experiences and characteristics of “Generation Z.”
Addressing the Prevalence of Mental Health Issues in Young Professionals
https://www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition... For this issue brief NACE
https://www.naceweb.org/home worked with the American Association of Colleges and Universities
https://www.aacu.org/, The Healthy Minds Network
https://healthymindsnetwork.org/, and the Mary Christie Institute
https://marychristieinstitute.org/ to survey college graduates in early professional careers to learn more about their mental health and well-being. The brief describes their key findings.
New Research Finds Next-Gen Workers are Most in Need of Mental Health Support, Least Likely to Feel Their Employers Care: The Hartford’s annual Future of Benefits Study examines the evolving needs of the U.S. workforce. This news release summarizes findings specific to “Gen Z” from the 2023 Future of Benefits Report (PDF).
Learn more HERE:
https://askearn.org/page/learning-guide-me... ********
Get Ready for National Apprenticeship Week 2026!
The 12th Annual National Apprenticeship Week will take place from April 26 to May 2, and the theme is “America at Work: Making America Skilled Again Through Registered Apprenticeship.” Please visit the Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week resources webpage for tools to help you prepare for and promote #NAW2026 as our nation celebrates its 250th year. We have a planning toolkit, an event promotion toolkit, a proclamation template, and other resources.
America at Work: Making America Skilled Again through Registered Apprenticeship
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a nationwide celebration where ApprenticeshipUSA partners - employers, apprentices and graduates, industry representatives, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, educational institutions, and federal, state, and local government agencies and more - host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for strengthening our economy by developing a highly skilled workforce to meet industry needs and creating pathways for career seekers to catapult into in-demand jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor coordinates NAW in order to promote Registered Apprenticeship, in accordance with the National Apprenticeship Act (50 Stat. 664; 29 U.S.C. 50).
We're gearing up for the inaugural Spring National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) from April 26 - May 2, 2026, and hope you will join us to celebrate! Starting in 2026, NAW will continue to be held in the spring, and we're preparing for the biggest NAW ever! The theme for NAW 2026 is America at Work: Making America Skilled Again through Registered Apprenticeship.
Throughout the week, we will also have daily NAW themes:
Monday, April 27: Registered Apprenticeships Building America at 250
Tuesday, April 28: Registered Apprenticeship Drives Growth and Innovation Across Critical Industries
Wednesday, April 29: Expanding AI in Registered Apprenticeship
Thursday, April 30: Realigning Education and Workforce Systems Around Registered Apprenticeship
Friday, May 1: Youth Pathways to Registered Apprenticeship
As the nation celebrates its 250th year and continues its reindustrialization, the overarching NAW 2026 theme reflects Registered Apprenticeship's prominence as a key strategy to ensure the American worker is equipped for the skilled jobs of today and tomorrow. NAW proclamations and events held around the country help to build awareness of Registered Apprenticeship as we collectively work towards enrolling 1 million apprentices! Check out the Department's press release to learn more about NAW and how to get involved!
Save the date! Future National Apprenticeship Week observances after 2026 will take place during the below dates:
April 25 – May 1, 2027
April 23 – April 29, 2028
Click below to submit an event or proclamation.
Submit An Event HERE:
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-ap... and/or Submit A Proclamation HERE:
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-ap... How You Can Get Involved? Learn more HERE:
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-ap... ****
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Friday, March 13th 2026 at 4:50PM
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