By Life In Humanity’s Analysis Desk
“How is the world doing mentally in 2026? Our mental health keeps getting worse. We’ve been tracking Mind Health for more than half a decade and it’s now at its lowest point: almost half the population surveyed is not doing well, with young people hit even harder. The main drivers remain financial strain, work stress, uncertainty about the future, but digital habits intensify the pressure- people now spend more than 5 hours on screens outside of work and 2 in 3 say it negatively affects their daily life.
The main barrier to getting help is internal: too many people still don’t seek professional support because they don’t consider their situation serious enough. Raising awareness, fostering debate and providing solutions remains crucial and at AXA, we want to play our part,” says AXA with its AXA Mind Health Report/ the 2026 Edition published on 2 June this year. AXA stands as one of the “largest global insurers, our purpose is to act for human progress by protecting what matters.” The study, which has resulted in the report, has involved 18 countries and 19 000 respondents aged between 18 and 75.
“The state of mental health worldwide”
“Are AI tools helping or hurting? AI could be one of the biggest breakthroughs in mind health – but without guardrails, also one of the biggest risks. On the one hand, AI democratizes access – it’s free, immediate, available 24/7 – and is already part of people’s emotional lives with 6 in 10 using it to seek mental health advice. But the risks are real: many apply advice that is not medically validated, and almost 1 in 3 say AI has led them to harmful behavior,” explains this global insurer.
“AI can open the door to support, but it must be shaped by clinically grounded tools from trusted health players that guide people toward the right human support when it matters most – because ultimately AI can never replace human connection.”
AXA explains that increase in awareness has not generated a great impact. “Despite the growth in awareness, global mental health remains a major concern. Indeed, people around the world now identify mental health as a higher priority than cancer.
While the total numbers of those struggling and languishing showed signs of stabilizing in 2023-2024, the findings reveal a 3-point rise in the last year reaching 46%. At the same time, there are fewer people flourishing today at the pinnacle of mental health than there were in 2022.”
This institution continues “A troubling paradox lies at the heart of modern progress. Despite robust economic growth and remarkable technological advancement, mental wellbeing is worsening: the share of people struggling or languishing has risen over the last half decade from 40% to 46%. The causes are counterintuitive. Hyper-connectivity has not cured loneliness — it has deepened it, particularly among the young. Economic expansion has not delivered stability for individuals — anxiety over jobs and financial stability persist.
We know that real human contact is irreplaceable, yet we surrender five hours daily to screens. The conversation, at least, is opening up. And cautious optimism is warranted. Technology, properly deployed, may yet form part of the remedy. The question remains to what extent societies and individuals can focus their effort and discipline to harness technology in a way that strengthens their mental resilience.”
The global mental health picture: who is flourishing and who is struggling?
The category of “languishing” represents the absence of positive wellbeing. That of “struggling” means the absence of wellbeing in most areas and is likely to beget struggle and difficulty. “If you are languishing, you are not functioning at full capacity, you may feel unmotivated and struggle to focus. Struggling is associated with emotional distress and psychosocial impairment,” explains AXA.
However, “flourishing and getting by” categories denote a positive situation. “Flourishing: it represents the pinnacle of mental health, encompassing the presence of good social, psychological and emotional wellbeing. Getting by: it describes those who may have some areas of good wellbeing but not enough to reach the state of flourishing.”
According to AXA, “One of the stark figures from this year’s Index is the 26% of respondents potentially affected by depression, anxiety or stress (DASS) at severe or more extreme levels. The 3-point rise since 2022 represents a worrying trend, given the significant social and economic burdens associated with this ‘silent epidemic’. The number of people who self report a mental health condition has fallen a point to 31% over the last year, however that is still a 4-point rise since 2022.”
AXA adds “The AXA Mind Health Index shows an overall decline in mental health across the world; however the needle shifts considerably at a local level. For example, in Thailand, at the top of the Index, just 6% of the population are struggling with their mental health, compared to 22% in the UK at the bottom. Switzerland has the highest percentage of people who are flourishing (32%), while neighboring Italy has one of the lowest number at the pinnacle of mental health with just 15%.”
AXA highlights that youth is hit extremely harder. “Young people are dramatically more exposed to mental health disorders. This year’s continued decline in mental health among young people reflects a pattern widely reported in post-pandemic research, whereby 18- to 34-year-olds are showing higher levels of severe symptoms related to depression, anxiety and stress. 59 % 18-24 y.o. [year-olds] are struggling or languishing (+13 points above average population).
Almost all of the reported risk factors related to mental health (world instability, climate anxiety, rapid work and technologies transformations) impact young adults more than other age categories. In particular, they report excessive use of digital (16 points above the average), fear of missing out in social media (+17 points), loneliness and social isolation (+13 points) as detrimental to their wellbeing.”
Immersion in digital appliances is an issue which is aggravating youth’s situation. “Always online, increasingly alone. Isolation as a result of digital habits is especially prevalent among young people, who see a strong correlation between screen usage and mental distress. Screen time for those under 34 stretches to 6 hours a day on average, and they are twice as likely to experience loneliness compared to the over 55s, who watch screens for 4 hours.”
About men and women, AXA reports “Women’s mental health remains worse than men’s across every metric in this year’s AXA Mind Health Index – and has continued to drop below levels reported in 2022. 2022. Men’s mental health has also declined, to the extent that the gap between the genders is closer than ever.
There is now a 5-point split in the ratio of flourishing men to women, compared to a 7-point gap in Among those potentially affected by depression, anxiety or stress at severe or more extreme levels, the gap has shortened from 5 points to just 3.”
Solutions recommended by AXA
This global insurer company proposes various solutions, to address the scourge, which it calls challenges in its report. The first challenge therefore involves creating meaningful awareness. “A lack of awareness is still to blame. Too few people in need of support engage with healthcare professionals. 60 % have never visited a healthcare professional. The AXA Mind Health survey has decoded the highest barrier to better mental health – and it is not an external factor.
Rather, it is the individual lack of understanding around what constitutes good mental health, the challenges that affect it and recognizing when and where to seek professional medical help. While attention around mental health has never been higher, the survey shows that even more work must be done to educate the population around the opportunities to improve the way they think and feel.”
Stigma represents a huge problem. The report quotes Dr Imren Sterno, AXA Health medical advisor, as saying “Stigma still exists. Despite the increase in awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of looking after our mental health; lack of self-awareness and stigma still exist. There’s a belief that challenges to mental health don’t warrant medical attention (36% of respondents), even though we know that 46% are languishing or struggling worldwide. It’s a striking differential.
Many people think that a health professional won’t be able to treat their struggles (such as anxiety, sleeping problems, mood swings, eating disorders…). However, mind health is equally as important as physical health, and the earlier an individual reaches out for support, the better the outcomes. Early treatment can avoid more complex problems, constant mental pressure and burnout. Across the globe, there has been a noticeable rise in sickness-related absence in the workplace, with employees taking longer periods of time off work with mental health disorders.”
However, “Awareness doesn’t always mean understanding,” according to Professor Lode Godderis, AXA Health medical advisor, cited in the report. “People talk more openly about mental health today, and that’s a real step forward. But awareness doesn’t always mean understanding. Many still struggle to recognize what they truly need, or how their personal situation – at home, at work, and in society – shapes their wellbeing.
That’s why it’s so important to have honest conversations, not just with professionals but also with colleagues and supervisors, about strengths, limits and expectations. At the same time, care has become more diverse and accessible, which is positive – but also confusing. It’s not always clear which support is right or of good quality. What people really need is a more personal, step-by-step approach that helps them find the right care at the right moment.”
AXA underscores that fostering awareness constitutes a collective responsibility. “Although society is increasingly willing to engage with mental health, there is still a long way to go. Mental health must be recognized as a collective responsibility – one that calls for action from individuals in their daily lives, as well as from schools, businesses, communities, or public institutions.”
On the front of awareness, AXA reports that Alliance pour la Santé Mentale is dedicated to marshalling all these actors around a shared conviction: “that each of us has a role to play in changing the conversation and fostering a more inclusive, supportive society. We have reasons to be optimistic. We see companies evolve, with an increasing number of prevention programs that show tangible and lasting impacts.
Numerous companies have signed up our Mental Health at Work Charter to improve workplace mental health. We also see innovative NGOs such as Clubhouse, which supports the professional integration of people living with mental health conditions, or Nightline, a peer-to-peer helpline for students that helps break the cycle of isolation.”
Second challenge: turning AI into a lever of progress
“The double-edged sword of AI. The expanding use of AI for managing mental health issues. 63 % report already using AI for mental health matters. The fact that more people are turning to AI to deal with mental health challenges proves that there’s a real need to find advice and increase knowledge. AI lowers the four main barriers to diagnosis: it is free, available 24/7, immediate and also impersonal, removing any fear of shame.
However, AI can be unhelpful and even damaging. Indeed, 1 out of 3 respondents say they trust AI platforms above mental health professionals, while 28% admit that using AI had led them towards harmful behavior. 55 % report being satisfied. 45 % report being dissatisfied with the advice provided by AI platforms for mental health.”
AXA supplies the following information. 42% almost always apply advice provided by AI concerning their mental health. 41% prioritize AI tools for mental health rather than confiding in their peers face-to0face. 38% trust AI platforms more than mental health professionals for delivering mental health advice.
It is important to note that these percentages can’t be regarded as exceeding 100% since totaling all these three percentages, you reach 121%. This does not indicate an error because the percentages come from different, non-mutually exclusive survey questions. Each figure represents responses to a different survey question, meaning that the same participants appeared in more than one category. Consequently, although the percentages total 121%, this does not imply that they exceed 100% in a statistical sense. Rather, it reflects overlapping responses from the same group of respondents.
AXA gives three reasons why AI can be employed in the advantage of mental heath in the following words. “AI offers game-changing opportunities for mind health. First, it breaks down barriers to access, whether it’s fear of judgment, cost or lack of time. In an instant, with ChatGPT, you get confidential, immediate support. The data shows that these technologies serve as an accelerator to seek help.
Recent studies demonstrate AI’s effectiveness in supporting evidence-based treatments when supervised by clinicians. Most practitioners report their patients’ positive feedback, noting that AI can enhance therapy outcomes and extend care. Our data reveals that those seeking professional help for mind health are also the ones most engaged with AI for mind health discussions,” explains AXA before adding “AI enables earlier intervention, shifting from reactive care to proactive health management.
By fostering self-awareness and empowerment, AI helps to catch issues before they get worse. This is good news, especially for caring employers who want to keep their workforce healthy, engaged and performing!”
Final challenge: empowering companies to play a crucial role
“Work-related stress is a ‘structural issue.’ 56 % of the working population report experiencing moderate to severe stress in their professional lives, with a score of 6-10, over the past 12 months. This year’s AXA Mind Health Index shows how much psychological wellbeing affects employees, with 72% of respondents sharing that they suffer from at least one stress-related work impact.
Difficulty sleeping was reported by a third (33%) of employees, while a quarter (24%) said they experienced at least one from increased irritability or mood swings; decreased motivation or productivity; or physical symptoms such as headaches or muscle tension. Many also referenced the impact of work-related stress outside of work, with 15% avoiding social interaction and 13% struggling with personal relationships,” AXA points out.
This institution further says “$1 trillion lost in global annual productivity derived from mental health issues. 48 % would not discuss mental health challenges within their professional environment. 84 % would participate in mental health and wellbeing support programs if they were offered at work.”
In light of all this, AXA highlights initiatives which would create most adhesion within employees. According to the organization; 68 % propose free or subsidized exercise classes, 64 % suggest employee assistance programs, 62 % recommend on-site nurses and/or therapists, and 59 % propose mental health webinars and awareness sessions.
“Companies have an opportunity to reconcile employees’ unwillingness to talk openly about their mental health issues with an overwhelming desire to benefit from psychological support in the workplace. ‘Why education and employer action are pivotal to mental health at work’. The 2026 Mind Health Report delivers a sobering message: awareness is rising, but mental health challenges remain widespread – and, in some cases, they are worsening.
Nearly one in two people worldwide (46%) report experiencing mental health issues, with younger generations particularly at risk. Yet information does not automatically translate into action: internal barriers – limited self-awareness and persistent misconceptions – still keep too many people from seeking support. This is where employers have a decisive role to play,” according to AXA before adding “Beyond providing benefits, organizations can
build a culture that recognizes mental health realities and actively promotes openness, understanding, and resilience through education, managerial support, and clear pathways to care. The urgency is amplified as AI and digital tools reshape work and daily life. The risk of loneliness and social disconnection is rising; 92% of young adults say excessive screen time has a negative impact on their everyday lives.”
AXA underlines that the urgency of mental health is amplified as artificial intelligence and digital tools are redesigning work and daily life. It emphasizes that the risk of loneliness and social disconnection is growing. “92% of young adults say excessive screen time has a negative impact on their everyday lives.
And even when support services exist, stigma and uncertainty often remain. When 43% of employees say their company has no dedicated mental health policy – and 48% find it daunting to initiate such conversations at work – education, trust, and open dialogue are no longer ‘nice to have’: they are essential.”
According to AXA, one practical way to extend education is through accessible learning formats. This insurer company exemplifies its “Mental Health Odyssey”, a one-hour e-learning program designed to raise awareness of mental health at work.
“Developed in line with World Health Organization guidelines, with input from medical experts and HR professionals, it covers stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression. Through videos, quizzes, and testimonials, it helps reduce taboos, encourage conversations, and contributes to a healthier, more inclusive workplace. At AXA, we complement this with the ‘Mind Health Self Check’, a digital tool that helps employees assess their mental well-being and connect with relevant resources.
Our experience shows that supporting mental well-being at work requires a comprehensive approach: education, cultural change, and support that is visible and easy to access. Organizations that invest in initiatives such as workshops and sustained communication to normalize these discussions and ensure every employee feels supported strengthen resilience and engagement while demonstrating a genuine commitment to people’s health and long-term performance. Ultimately, this is at the heart of our motto ‘Care and Dare for Progress’.”