Mental health and burnout drive rising economic and personal costs

Mental health challenges and burnout are increasingly impacting both individual careers and national economies. In Switzerland, Roman Sonderegger, CEO of the health insurer Helsana, reported that the annual cost of psychological issues to the Swiss workforce has reached approximately 6.5 billion Swiss francs. Data indicates that psychotherapy costs have risen by 11 percent compared to the previous year, with mental health-related absences averaging 150 days.

On an individual level, Brazilian actor Lázaro Ramos has highlighted the personal toll of professional pressure. After collapsing during the filming of the Globo telenovela ‘Elas por Elas’ in 2023, Ramos was diagnosed with burnout. He has since stated that the diagnosis fundamentally changed his perspective on his career, leading him to re-evaluate his workload and project selection to prioritize his health.

Statistics show that 60 percent of those affected by mental health absences are women, while 40 percent are men. Furthermore, approximately one-third of all employees report feeling exhausted, and one-fifth of individuals aged 16 to 25 exhibit moderate to severe depressive symptoms.