Workplace quiet cracking trend uncovered by AI offering mental health assistance revealed
In the modern workplace, a growing concern has emerged known as "quiet cracking." This refers to employees who continue to show up and perform their duties, but struggle silently with stress, dissatisfaction, or burnout. Unlike quiet quitting, where employees emotionally withdraw and only do the minimum required, quiet cracking involves ongoing internal struggles that impair thriving at work despite remaining employed [1].
The root causes of quiet cracking are often economic uncertainty that limits job mobility, causing workers to feel stuck and disengaged. This can lead to a decline in morale, productivity, and mental health [2]. In response to this issue, generative AI and large language models (LLMs) have emerged as a potential solution to provide mental health support.
Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, GPT-5, Claude, Llama, and Gemini, can be accessed for nearly free or at a low cost, allowing users to consult with the AI 24/7 on mental health concerns. These systems are designed to be empathetic to users, with AI makers intentionally shaping them to increase user loyalty and views [3].
One of the key benefits of using generative AI for mental health matters is the ability to offer confidential, on-demand conversational support. Employees can express their stress or anxiety when they might not feel comfortable doing so with colleagues or managers [4]. Furthermore, these AI systems can provide scalable mental wellness resources, including coping strategies, mindfulness exercises, or cognitive behavioral techniques, accessible anytime [4].
In addition, AI can serve as a first prompt for reflection and self-assessment, enabling users to identify symptoms of burnout or distress early and seek professional help if needed [4]. Moreover, AI can alleviate workload by automating routine tasks, potentially reducing stressors contributing to quiet cracking and freeing up more time for human-centered work [4].
However, it is important to proceed cautiously when relying on AI for mental health guidance. While LLMs can augment mental health support, they are not replacements for professional care and also carry risks, including misinformation or exacerbating mental health harms if used improperly [5]. A thoughtful implementation with proper safeguards and integration into broader mental health programs is essential.
In the case of quiet cracking, it is crucial to consider seeking the aid of a human therapist if experiencing ongoing internal struggles at work. The quote by Sir Edmund Hillary, "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves," can be applied to overcoming quiet cracking and moving ahead with life [6].
The use of generative AI for mental health matters has been extensively covered and analyzed in various articles and columns, including by the author in their ongoing Forbes column [6]. Despite the ongoing debate about the potential positive or negative outcomes of using generative AI for mental health advisement on a population-level basis, it is clear that these technologies have the potential to provide valuable support to workers experiencing quiet cracking.
References:
- Quiet cracking: The silent struggle of employees doing their work but suffering internally
- Quiet cracking: A new term for the silent struggle of workers
- The empathetic AI revolution: How AI is being designed to be more human
- How AI can help workers struggling with quiet cracking
- The rise of AI in mental health: Balancing benefits and risks
- The author's ongoing Forbes column on AI producing mental health advice and performing AI-driven therapy
- Artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI like ChatGPT, GPT-5, Claude, Llama, and Gemini, can offer confidential, on-demand conversational support to employees dealing with stress or anxiety, preventing the silent struggles of quiet cracking [4].
- The rise of AI in mental health has raised debates about its potential benefits and risks, yet it's evident that these technologies can provide valuable support to those experiencing dissatisfaction or burnout in the workplace, as highlighted in the author's Forbes column [6].
- In addition to workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness programs, workplace-related mental health issues can be tackled through education-and-self-development in the form of counseling coaching psychology psychiatry or career-development resources that integrate the use of advanced AI models, like OpenAI's GPT-5 and Anthropic's Claude [3, 6].
