There’s a quiet crisis happening in our society. 

One that demands not only empathy but insight, strategy, and action. At the heart of it? Women’s mental health.

Our latest research illuminates a striking truth: Women, across nearly every generation, are significantly more likely than men to rate their mental health as “bad.” It’s a sobering finding and signals a deeper issue that policymakers, healthcare leaders, employers, and advocates must not lose sight of.

What’s going on…and why does it matter?

The Numbers Speak Volumes

The first wave of the SSRS Economic Attitudes Tracker revealed that one in five women (19%) say their mental health is “bad,” compared to 13% of men. Dig deeper, and the results are revealing. Women across nearly every generation are struggling more than their male counterparts—with one exception: Millennials.

The largest gap is found among Gen Z adults, where 35% of women report poor mental health compared to 21% of men—a 14 percentage-point difference. For Baby Boomers, that gap is 10 percentage points; Gen X sees an 8-point gap. Millennials stand out from the other generations. This generation group comes closest to parity, with men even slightly edging out women in self-reported mental health struggles.

These numbers do more than quantify hardship—they reflect a daily reality for millions of women. From workplace pressures and caregiving responsibilities to societal expectations and online scrutiny, the weight women carry is often unseen but deeply felt.

It’s important to note that this data is self-reported. Social norms and cultural expectations can shape not just how we feel, but how willing we are to talk about it. Men may face unique pressures that discourage open acknowledgment of mental health struggles. Despite growing awareness campaigns and high-profile efforts to normalize vulnerability, stigma still lingers. As a result, some men may be underrecognizing or underreporting their mental health challenges, adding another layer of complexity to this conversation.

Why This Data Collection Matters

Mental health is not just a personal issue—it’s a public, organizational, and societal imperative. The well-being of women affects families, communities, and entire economies. When a significant portion of the population is quietly struggling, it impacts productivity, healthcare systems, and the very social fabric we all rely on.

That’s why it’s critical to measure this experience. Too often, conversations around mental health are generalized. But the reality is nuanced, gendered, and generational. Good data brings clarity—and with clarity comes change.

Who Can Drive that Change?

These findings aren’t just for other researchers. They are a call to action for:

• Employers seeking to improve employee well-being and retention.
• Policymakers crafting mental health and gender equity strategies.
• Healthcare providers designing support programs and interventions.
• Advocacy organizations fighting for better mental health resources.
• Media and educators working to spotlight and destigmatize mental health issues and combat harmful media content and behavior.

Partnering for Deeper Insight

As a leading full-service public opinion research firm, we’re proud to provide data that does more than inform—it inspires. Our nationally representative Opinion Panel and research expertise help partners uncover truths that matter and shape strategies that work.

Because when we ask the right questions and listen closely to the answers, we don’t just collect data—we help create change .

To truly understand mental health disparities—and design strategies that make a difference—you need to hear from the right people. That’s where our research capabilities shine. Our nationally representative, probability-based Opinion Panel, along with our specialized panels and flexible methodologies, allow us to reach the very audiences whose voices are critical in shaping effective mental health interventions. The infographic below highlights just some of the key groups we can engage to help you uncover the insights that matter most.

Note: The study included 5 people who preferred to self-describe their gender and 6 people who preferred not to answer. Due to the limited sample size, they were not included in this analysis

Methodology

This study was conducted by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a national, twice-per-month, probability-based survey. Data were collected from March 21 – March 24, 2025 among a sample of 1,031 panelists. The survey was conducted via web (n=1,001) and telephone (n=30) and administered in English (n=1,005) and Spanish (n=26). The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.8 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The design effect is 1.54. All SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus data are weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults ages 18 or older.

The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is conducted on the SSRS Opinion Panel. SSRS Opinion Panel members are recruited randomly based primarily on nationally representative ABS (Address Based Sample) design (including Hawaii and Alaska). ABS respondents are randomly sampled by Marketing Systems Group (MSG) through the U.S. Postal Service’s Computerized Delivery Sequence File (CDS), a regularly-updated listing of all known addresses in the U.S. For the SSRS Opinion Panel, known business addresses are excluded from the sample frame. Additional panelists are recruited via random digit dial (RDD) telephone sample of cell phone numbers connected to a prepaid cell phone. This sample is selected by MSG from the cell phone RDD frame using a flag that identifies prepaid numbers. Prepaid cell numbers are associated with cell phones that are “pay as you go” and do not require a contract.

The SSRS Opinion Panel is a multi-mode panel (web and phone). Most panelists take self-administered web surveys; however, the option to take surveys conducted by a live telephone interviewer is available to those who do not use the internet as well as those who use the internet but are reluctant to take surveys online.

About SSRS

SSRS is breaking the mold on what research companies can do.  A full-service market and survey research firm, we use the latest data collection best practices and apply cutting-edge survey methodologies backed by insight from our industry-leading team.  We have genuine enthusiasm for our work and a shared goal to connect people through research.  Our solutions include groundbreaking approaches fit for purpose:  the SSRS Opinion Panel, Encipher®, SSRS Sports Poll, and more.  Our research areas focus on Health Care and Health Policy, Public Opinion and Policy, Political and Election Polling, Consumer Trends, and Sports, Entertainment, and Lifestyle.