REIMAGINING WORKFORCE WELL-BEING: AI-DRIVEN MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS IN HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENTS

The growing use of hybrid work setups has made organizations rethink how they support mental health, as workers experience more loneliness, unclear lines between work and personal life, and exhaustion from constant digital use. This study looks at how AI-powered mental health tools can help meet the changing emotional needs of people working in hybrid environments. The research used a mixed-methods approach, gathering data from 462 employees at four different global companies, along with detailed interviews from 30 HR experts and users of AI-based wellness tools. The results show that AI tools like chatbots, mood tracking apps, and platforms that offer gentle guidance can boost emotional strength, lower stress, and make people feel more satisfied with their jobs. Analysis using structural equation modeling shows that trust in AI and how personalized the tools feel are key factors in how well they work. From the interviews, themes emerged about the importance of keeping personal information private, being aware of ethical issues, and having the skills to use digital tools effectively in shaping how people engage with these technologies. This paper provides a detailed guide for including AI in company wellness plans and suggests that AI for mental health should be designed with ethics, inclusivity, and a focus on people in mind, especially in hybrid work settings.