A sweeping new study has found that rates of depression and severe psychological distress differ widely across job sectors, with employees in retail, food service, media, and healthcare support among the most at risk. The findings underscore the urgent need for tailored workplace mental health strategies, particularly as young adults and women are shown to be disproportionately affected.
The research, led by a team at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, analyzed data from over 536,000 working adults across 37 US states, collected between 2015 and 2019. The results, published in JAMA Network Open (JAMA Network Open, June 2025), paint a nuanced portrait of how occupation, age, gender, and insurance status shape mental well-being across the labor market. This information is particularly timely for Thailand, where the impacts of economic change, urbanization, and shifting industry are reshaping the workforce and its vulnerabilities.
Researchers focused on self-reported cases of “lifetime diagnosed depression” and the frequency of “mentally unhealthy days” in the past month. They defined “frequent mental distress” as at least 14 unhealthy days, with “extreme distress” considered a full month of poor mental health. Across all workers, 14% reported a history of depression diagnosis, 10% reported frequent distress, and 4% experienced extreme distress.
Dissecting these numbers by industry, the study found retail had the highest adjusted prevalence ratios for lifetime depression (1.15 times the general worker average) and poor mental health days (1.23 times). Workers in accommodation and food services shared an elevated risk (APR of 1.13 for depression, and an unadjusted 6.8% for extreme distress). By occupation, the highest levels of frequent mental distress appeared within the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media (APR 1.32), healthcare support (APR 1.19), and food preparation and serving (APR 1.20) fields.
Youth was another significant factor: workers aged 18-34 averaged 11.3 mentally unhealthy days per month, significantly higher than older age groups. Single individuals and those without health insurance also reported more unhealthy days (mean 11.0 and 11.9, respectively). Uninsured workers overall suffered higher rates of frequent and extreme distress (14% and 7%) compared with insured peers (9% and 4%).
Alarmingly, women were found to face a much higher burden than men. 20% of women surveyed had been diagnosed with depression, compared to 10% of men. Women also shouldered greater levels of frequent distress (12% vs. 8%) and extreme distress (5% vs. 3%). This aligns with growing global awareness of gendered vulnerabilities in mental health, influenced by both social and biological factors (World Health Organization).
Study investigators concluded: “Workplaces can play a role in identifying and reducing psychosocial hazards and promoting workers’ mental health. More research is needed to evaluate work-related factors and workplace intervention effectiveness.” The robust sample size and statistical methods lend weight to the findings, though limitations include reliance on self-reported diagnoses, potential misclassification of jobs, and the inability to infer causality due to the cross-sectional design.
For Thailand, the study resonates in several ways. The Kingdom’s workforce is increasingly employed in service sectors such as retail, hospitality, and food services—precisely those highlighted here as mental health risk areas. According to the National Statistical Office (NSO Thailand), nearly 30% of Thais now work in commerce or services. Economic pressures and shift work, key stressors identified globally, are also prevalent in Thailand’s rapidly urbanizing regions from Chiang Mai to Phuket.
Furthermore, Thailand’s cultural context poses unique challenges and opportunities. Traditional values can sometimes stigmatize mental illness, discouraging open discussion or seeking care (Bangkok Post). However, Buddhist concepts of mindfulness and community care offer culturally appropriate avenues for stress reduction and support.
Healthcare workers, who played a critical role during COVID-19, face compounded risks—mirroring the study’s findings. In Thailand, where hospital staffing shortages are chronic and the pandemic has left deep psychological scars, supporting mental well-being in this group is particularly urgent (World Health Organization, Thailand).
Looking ahead, these findings raise important questions for policymakers and business leaders. With mental health recognized as both a public health issue and a productivity imperative (ILO Thailand), targeted interventions could include confidential screenings, workplace mindfulness programs, anti-stigma training for managers, and flexible leave for mental health needs. Digital health tools, already in use in Thailand’s larger companies and public hospitals, could be deployed more widely to reach at-risk workers, especially in smaller businesses or rural settings.
Educational institutions and vocational programs can also build resilience by incorporating mental health literacy and stress-management skills into curricula, particularly for students entering high-risk fields such as hospitality, media, or healthcare support.
For individual Thai workers, the report is a strong reminder to:
- Monitor personal stress levels—seek help early if signs of depression or anxiety appear.
- Utilize available health coverage for mental health consultations, many of which are now included in the universal coverage scheme (Ministry of Public Health).
- Cultivate supportive relationships at home and work, following the Thai concept of “namjai” (น้ำใจ), or acts of kindness.
- Encourage open conversations about mental well-being, helping to reduce stigma within the workplace and community.
In summary, the latest research illustrates that mental health vulnerabilities are not evenly distributed across industries or demographics. For Thailand—where the workplace is undergoing unprecedented change—integrating mental health support into occupational policies and daily management practices will be crucial to protecting workers, reducing stigma, and building a resilient, productive nation.
For more on mental health in Thailand’s workforce, see additional resources at WHO Thailand, Bangkok Post, and JAMA Network Open.