‘We’re all vulnerable’: Responding to workplace PTSD

“The pandemic itself is a trauma for most of us and we are now dealing with the downstream consequences of that trauma,” says Louis Gagnon, CEO of Total Brain, a brain performance platform whose data informed the Index. “That will translate into more stress, less capacity to focus, less resilience, and generally speaking, life is just much harder to live.”

The most notable improvements in mental health were among women in the 20-39 age group. In June 2021, this group reported a 44% decrease in anxiety from May to June. Gagnon says the change was probably due to the summer’s reduction in childcare needs and virtual learning.

The uptick for young women helped improve the overall number of U.S. workers dealing with anxiety by 19%.

PTSD is widespread and on the rise

However, June 2021’s numbers showed a 56% greater risk for PTSD compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The report states, “workers who screened at risk for PTSD showed significantly worse memory, focus, resilience, and planning than those without a PTSD risk.” All these issues impact employee performance and productivity.

Gagnon says there’s no predisposition needed to raise someone’s risk for PTSD. Its origins come from trauma, and that trauma can come from external or internal events.