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March 12, 2026
Across the Cleo population, 46% of women and 44% of men screen positive on the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) for depression and anxiety risk. However, this baseline shifts dramatically when looking at age and life stage:
- Women ages 25-40 (Reproductive/Family Forming): 43% screen positive
- Women ages 40-54 (Perimenopause): 53% screen positive
- Women ages 55+ (Post-Menopause): 63% screen positive
This steady climb highlights a significant vulnerability for women in the workforce.
The risk peaks during the sandwich generation years—a period often marked by the intersection of perimenopause, peak career responsibilities, and the dual demand of caring for both children and aging parents.
Proactive screening leads to meaningful improvement
The power of the Family Health Index™ (FHI) lies in its ability to provide proactive mental health screening—a step most employees do not take on their own. The good news is that once identified, these risks can be managed effectively.
Cleo’s intervention data shows that improvement rates are strongest among those with the highest initial risk:
- 87% of women in the Severe risk category showed improvement upon rescreening
- 65% of those in the Moderate risk category also saw their scores improve
Women who are caregivers need specialized, targeted support
By identifying these risks early, Cleo helps alleviate the emotional toll on caregivers before it reaches a crisis point. This proactive approach is critical for women in midlife, who often find themselves at a demographic crossroads: navigating the physical and hormonal complexities of menopause while simultaneously managing heavy caregiving responsibilities for children or aging parents.
Because these transitions typically coincide with the pinnacle of a woman’s career, the stakes for retention are incredibly high. Supporting women through midlife is a vital economic strategy. When employers provide personalized guidance to manage these overlapping pressures, they prevent the exodus of senior female leadership, ensuring these experienced professionals can continue to lead and thrive in the workforce rather than being forced out by a lack of support.
