In an effort to supply the most up-to-date information about professional wellness in different business contexts, we will be consistently updating this blog post with more and more information as it becomes available. If any source here is disreputable, please reach out to us and we will have it taken down. We take our sources very seriously and never want to spread misinformation.
It is absolutely essential to understand the scope of professional wellness and where it is trending. These facts and findings offer a foundation for everything we're doing here at Onward. Currently, as Onward is a US-only company (for now) we are primarily looking at US-based numbers. As we expand globally we will expand this resource globally.
General Wellness Facts
- Mental Health Prioritization Continues: A study in 2023 found that 93% of Gen Z and Millennials hope to improve their mental health in 2024. This highlights a strong and continued focus on psychological well-being across younger generations.
Source: Thriving Center of Psych - Gen Z & Millennial Therapy Statistics - Wellness Spending is Booming, Driven by Younger Generations: The US wellness market is estimated to be over $500 billion annually, with a growth rate of 4-5% each year. While Gen Z and Millennials make up just over a third (36%) of the adult population in the US, they account for over 41% of annual wellness spending, indicating a disproportionate prioritization of wellness among these groups.
Source: McKinsey - The Future of Wellness trends survey 2025 - Holistic Wellness is on the Rise: There's a significant shift towards recognizing that true wellness encompasses more than just physical health. In 2024, there's a strong emphasis on maintaining physical (81%), mental (74%), emotional (71%), spiritual (52%), and social health (46%). This points to a broader interest in balancing various aspects of well-being.
Source: Quirk's - Wellness revolution: Holistic health in 2024 - Health Tracking is Mainstream: Approximately 66% of Americans are currently monitoring at least one health metric using devices or apps. Exercise (35%) is the most commonly tracked activity, followed by blood pressure (29%), weight (27%), and sleep (24%). This demonstrates a growing engagement with personal health data.
Source: YouGov - US health and wellness trends - A comprehensive overview for 2024 - Barriers to Mental Health Care Persist: Despite the widespread need for mental health services, nearly 6 million adults (10.1%) with a mental illness are uninsured. Furthermore, one in four (24.58%) adults experiencing 14 or more mentally unhealthy days each month were unable to see a doctor due to costs. There is also a significant shortage of mental health providers, with approximately 340 people for every one mental health professional.
Source: MHA Releases 2024 State of Mental Health in America Report
Freelancing Facts
- Freelancing is on the Rise: Freelancing is on the rise in the US, projected to reach over 90 million freelancers by 2028.
Source: Statista - The Thriving Gig Economy - Higher Rates of Depression: Freelancers are almost twice as likely to be depressed compared to office workers; 56% of freelancers reported suffering from depression as a result of their job in a 2020 study.
Source: FE News - Freelancers almost 2x as likely to be depressed compared to office workers, survey finds - Burnout in Freelancing: 64.3% of freelancers report experiencing burnout due to lack of work-life balance.
Source: Freelancer Map - Freelancer Burnout - Financial Anxiety: Freelancers frequently experience stress and anxiety, particularly financial anxiety due to inconsistent cash flow and unstable clients.
Source: Mental Health Wellness - Mental Health for Freelancers: Maintaining Stability in an Unstable Job Market
C-Suite/Top Executives Facts
- Number of C-Suite Executives: In 2023, there were approximately 3.9M Top Executives employed in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 - Increased Executive Stress: In 2025, 67% of executives report feeling more stressed compared to the previous year. For executives at larger companies, this figure rises to 82%.
Source: Sentry Insurance - 67% of executives more stressed in 2025: Sentry survey finds - Executive Mental Health Struggles: The proportion of top US executives struggling with their mental health was 31% in 2022, compared with 12% in 2018. A Deloitte survey in 2022 also found that one in three C-suite executives constantly struggles with fatigue and poor mental health, with 40% reporting feeling depressed.
Source: Raconteur - Why CEOs' mental health is business-critical - Higher Stress in Large Businesses: C-suite leaders at large businesses (82%) report higher stress levels in 2025 than the previous year, driven by economic uncertainty, supply chain challenges, and external threats like cyberattacks.
Source: Sentry Insurance - 2025 C-Suite Stress Index: Large businesses (PDF) - Executives Considering Quitting: 70% of C-suite leaders say they are considering quitting their jobs for roles that better support their well-being.
Source: Seramount - Burnout Is a Leadership Crisis: Why Well-Being Is the Next Business Imperative
Founder/Small Business Facts
- Number of Small Business Owners: As of 2025, there are over 34.8 million small businesses in the United States, accounting for 99.9% of all businesses.
Source: SellersCommerce - United States Small Business Statistics (2025 Data) - Entrepreneur Mental Health and Burnout: 56% of entrepreneurs have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or stress-related problems, with 45% of small business owners reporting increased levels of anxiety. 30% of entrepreneurs struggle with lifelong depression, making them twice as likely as others to have a lifetime history of depression. 46% of founders in a recent survey said their mental health has been 'bad' or 'very bad'.
Source: Lifehack Method - Entrepreneur Mental Health and Burnout Statistics, Inc. - A New Study Says 75% of Entrepreneurs Are Concerned About Their Mental Health - High Stress Levels Among Founders: 83% of founders in a 2025 survey reported experiencing high stress. Fundraising (60%), work-life balance (38%), and the global economic situation (35%) are primary sources of stress for business owners.
Source: Lifehack Method - Entrepreneur Mental Health and Burnout Statistics, Inc. - A New Study Says 75% of Entrepreneurs Are Concerned About Their Mental Health - Prevalence of Founder Burnout: A 2023 study by Startup Snapshot found that 72% of founders report experiencing burnout.
Source: Betaboom - The Silent Startup Killer: Why 72% of Founders Burnout and How to Beat the Odds
Employee Facts
- Number of Employed Persons: As of May 2025, the number of employed persons in the United States was 163.27 million.
Source: Trading Economics - United States Employed Persons - Workplace Impact on Mental Health: 76% of U.S. workers reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition, and 84% said their workplace conditions contributed to mental health challenges.
Source: HHS.gov - Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being - Job Insecurity and Stress: More than half of U.S. workers (54%) say job insecurity has had a significant impact on their stress levels at work (May 2025 survey).
Source: American Psychological Association (APA) - More than half of U.S. workers say job insecurity causing stress - Work-Related Stress and Burnout: Approximately 60% of employees felt negative impacts from work-related stress, including emotional exhaustion (32%) and physical fatigue (44%). 23% of employees reported feeling burned out at work "very often or always," while an additional 44% reported feeling burned out "sometimes."
Source: Flair HR - 80 Burnout Statistics: Remote Work, Workplace Stress, and More
Other Interesting Facts about Employees and Wellness:
- Over 90% of companies saw a positive ROI on employee wellness programs.
- 62% of employees would be more likely to stay with their company if it better supported their well-being.
- 91% of businesses plan to invest more in mental health solutions for their workforce.
- Over 90% of employees believe well-being is as important as salary. Source: OpenLoop Health - 25+ Compelling Employee Wellness Statistics
Prioritizing Professional Wellness is Paramount
The data unequivocally shows a pervasive need for professional wellness solutions across all demographics – freelancers, executives, founders, and employees alike face significant mental health challenges and stress. This highlights a critical gap, as the wellness market grows but barriers to care persist.
By integrating practical tools for project and financial management with essential wellness support, Onward directly addresses the interconnectedness of professional and personal well-being. We recognize that business demands impact mental health (and vice versa) and we offer proactive solutions.
The business imperative here is clear: over 90% of companies see a positive ROI on employee wellness programs, and employees value well-being as much as salary. This shift underscores the strategic advantage of prioritizing health.
Onward's mission is to support and provide resources to all professionals in the modern age.
Ultimately, the data points to a singular truth: taking care of business starts with taking care of yourself. Onward empowers professionals to do just that, offering a vital resource for a more resilient and productive workforce.
Interested in seeing how Onward can help you or your organization? Contact us now!We'll get back to you within 12 hours. Time us!
