JAMA Netw Open

Retail, food service, and arts workers report highest mental health burden

June 30, 2025

Study details: This large cross-sectional analysis used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 37 states (2015–2019), including over 530,000 currently employed civilian adults. The study assessed self-reported lifetime diagnosed depression, frequent mental distress (FMD), extreme distress, and mean mentally unhealthy days (MUD), stratified by industry, occupation, and sociodemographic factors.

Results: Overall, 14.2% of workers reported lifetime diagnosed depression, and mean MUD was 9.5 days. Workers who were female, aged 18 to 34, or not in a couple reported higher prevalences of depression, FMD, and extreme distress. By industry, retail trade and accommodation/food services had higher adjusted prevalences of depression and FMD. By occupation, arts/design/entertainment/sports/media, health care support, food preparation/serving, and sales had the highest adjusted FMD rates. Extreme distress was most common in health care support, food service, cleaning/maintenance, personal care, and sales occupations.

Clinical impact: Mental health outcomes show considerable variation based on both sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. Clinicians should be mindful of increased mental health risks among workers in specific industries, especially those who are younger, female, or not in partnered relationships. This awareness can support more effective screening, prevention, and intervention strategies in occupational and clinical settings.

Source:

Sussell AL, et al. (2025, June 2). JAMA Netw Open. US Workers' Self-Reported Mental Health Outcomes by Industry and Occupation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40478574/