Mental Health Crisis Costing Northern Virginia Billions in Lost Economic Output
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The mental health crisis is costing Northern Virginia $8 billion a year in lost economic output, quadrupling since 2019 due to COVID-19.
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53% of the workforce is struggling with anxiety or depression, causing a 2.1 percentage point drop in productivity.
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Absenteeism, presenteeism, and workers exiting the labor force contribute to the economic losses.
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The professional services industry saw the greatest losses at $2.3 billion with nearly 50% of workers reporting mental health struggles.
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Employers can help by providing support programs and adjusting workplace policies and culture.