Companies need to better address stress and mental health issues in the workplace, as employees increasingly feel their employers do not realize the severity of the issue. 

A whopping 94% of workers report that their stress level affects their job performance, according to a recent survey from Meritain Health and the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health. Employees also report that stress affects: their general attitude (55.8%); relationships with co-workers (39.4%); productivity (36.2%); quality of work (35.5%); and relationships with supervisors (33.2%). 

Furthermore, 52% of employees say their employer does not address stress, work-life balance or mental and behavioral health. About 40% of employees say they aren't aware of what type of mental health benefits are offered by their employer. More than one-third of respondents (35.7%) state they would be more likely to use such benefits if their employer discussed them more. 

An overwhelming 95.6% of employees reported that mental and behavioral health is very (75.3%) or somewhat (20.3%) important in determining overall health. 

The results "illustrate the need for employers to better make the connection between untreated mental health conditions and lost productivity, offer more comprehensive mental health benefits and better promote these benefits to their employees," says Larry Luter, chief medical officer of Meritain Health.