[Barometer] Mental Health and QWL - Qualisocial x Ipsos 2026
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of employees benefiting from a comprehensive prevention plan believe that this has improved their mental health.
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Every year, Qualisocial observes and measures the mental health of French people at work. This 3rd edition marks a turning point: For the first time since the health crisis, 22% of working people are in poor mental health, or a decrease by 3 points compared to 2025. An encouraging signal, but weaknesses persist, especially depending on the sector and the level of risk.
Among other things, the 2026 barometer will allow you to understand:
- The most and least exposed sectors;
- The effects of poor mental health on engagement and recommendation;
- The main causes of poor mental health;
- The main expectations of employees in terms of QVCT.
Trends and insights
A dynamic of progress but persistent disparities.
The year 2026 is showing signs of overall improvement in mental health at work, with sectors and profiles that are progressing more rapidly than others. Women show significant gains (+5 points of good mental health), but their mental health is still slightly lower than that of men (74% of women feel they have good mental health vs 80% of men). Some sectors such as public administration And the accommodation-catering are experiencing a significant recovery after a very deteriorated situation in 2024. Conversely, mental health in the industrial sector Step back and the one in the medico-social remains at a worrying level (31%).
The Great National Cause contributed to lifting taboos and giving free speech on mental health (56% of workers affected, 71% felt an effect on taboos, 61% on speech), strengthening the effectiveness of preventive measures.
The causes of poor mental health remain mostly linked to non-professional factors (38%), but the work (21%) And the national context (32%) continue to influence the situation. People presenting a low self-esteem and emotional imbalance are at increased risk (+30%), which highlights the importance of targeted interventions.
This edition confirms the importance of global and targeted approach, combining prevention, psychological and organizational support, to provide lasting support to all employees.
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“For the first time since the health crisis, mental health is improving: 22% of working people are now in poor mental health, three points less than in 2025. These results are encouraging, but they should not make us forget that some professions and profiles remain fragile. The role of organizations is crucial: strengthening prevention, lifting taboos and providing concrete support to employees makes it possible to maintain this dynamic. Our goal at Qualisocial is clear: to observe, analyze, and share data to help organizations build truly supportive work environments where everyone can be their best.”
Camy Puech
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