In high-performance cultures, there’s often little room for vulnerability. Deadlines are tight, expectations are high, and the pressure to perform can become all-consuming. In this environment, anxiety isn’t an exception—it’s a regular occurrence.
And yet, few workplaces talk about it. Fewer still know how to respond to it effectively.
At SupportRoom, we believe that acknowledging anxiety and providing structured support is essential for building a resilient, productive workforce.
What Panic Really Looks Like at Work
Panic and anxiety at work are often invisible. They rarely appear as dramatic breakdowns. Instead, they show up in ways that are easy to misread:
- Avoiding calls, meetings, or new tasks
- Over-preparing for small decisions or becoming stuck in inaction
- Physical complaints: headaches, tight chest, nausea
- Sudden irritability, withdrawal, or unexplained absences
These aren’t signs of incompetence. They’re signs of overstimulation and emotional overload—symptoms of a nervous system under pressure.
The Business Cost of Ignoring Anxiety
The numbers tell a clear story:
- 83% of employees report suffering from work-related stress, with over half saying it affects their home life.
(Source: American Institute of Stress, 2023) - Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, affecting 301 million people globally. In the workplace, this leads to a measurable decrease in engagement and performance.
(Source: World Health Organization, 2022) - Untreated anxiety costs the global economy an estimated $1 trillion per year in lost productivity.
(Source: WHO and World Economic Forum) - A recent survey from Mind Share Partners found that 60% of employees have experienced symptoms of anxiety, but only 34% have spoken to someone at work about it.
The data is clear: high-pressure environments increase anxiety—and silence makes it worse.
High-Pressure Doesn’t Have to Mean High Risk
Pressure itself isn’t the problem. Pressure, when supported by trust, recovery, and communication, can fuel focus and achievement.
The issue is when pressure is combined with isolation.
Many employees fear speaking up. They’re concerned it could impact how they’re seen, their chance at promotion, or their job security. This culture of silence leads to emotional exhaustion, presenteeism, and eventual burnout.
What Normalising Anxiety Actually Looks Like
Here’s what forward-thinking organisations are doing:
- Training managers to identify early signs of emotional strain—not just performance dips.
2. Creating policies that explicitly support mental health sick days, flexible schedules, and crisis response.
3. Using anonymous wellbeing surveys to detect hidden organisational risk.
4. Integrating therapy, coaching, and self-help tools into daily workflows—accessible, private, and stigma-free.
Normalising doesn’t mean lowering expectations. It means removing shame, and providing tools for regulation and recovery.
How SupportRoom Helps Organisations Respond Proactively
SupportRoom provides a comprehensive mental health infrastructure that meets the realities of high-pressure work:
- Instant access to licensed therapists and coaches—confidential and secure
- Heartbeat Surveys to measure organisational wellbeing and spot risk areas early
- On-demand resources, including guided content on anxiety regulation, panic de-escalation, and workplace triggers
Our platform is built to fit into the everyday flow of work—so support becomes proactive, not reactive.
You Can’t Outperform a Nervous System in Crisis
Panic is not a flaw in your people—it’s a signal. A moment of overwhelm doesn’t make someone less capable. It makes them human.
By creating space for honest conversations and providing accessible support, organisations don’t just reduce risk—they strengthen resilience, loyalty, and long-term performance.
Support your people before the pressure breaks them. Let’s turn awareness into action.