"This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week’s theme is ‘community’. For staff, our colleagues often form a part of our community, hence why it’s so important we feel supported."
- Mark Rowland, CEO at the Mental Health Foundation
Of those surveyed (2,000), 11% took time off work due to their mental health in 2024, with 27% of those doing so remaining absent from the workplace for over two weeks. Recent NHS data shows an estimated 875k employees suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, which has led to 17.1mn workdays lost.
Worryingly, 16% of 18-34-year-olds took time off work due to their mental health, compared to 10% of 35-54-year-olds.
Mental health was the third most common reason for taking time off work, behind minor illnesses (23%), and muscle/joint pain (12%). The majority of staff who took leave for these conditions were absent for up to two days (57% and 47% respectively), compared to two weeks for those struggling with their mental health (27%).
Speaking with employers (500), 73% said they feel greater responsibility for employee health, especially given the longer NHS waiting lists.
Yet, 60% of employers don’t offer health plans or Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs). Of the employers that do, 46% noticed staff taking fewer sick days.
“With employees increasingly taking time off for mental health issues, employers need access to simple, easy, and affordable solutions for their employees – particularly when it comes to mental health support.
“By offering mental health benefits to their employees, businesses can prevent symptoms from worsening, encouraging a healthy, happy, and productive workforce,” said Paul Schreier, CEO of Simplyhealth.
Mark Rowland, CEO at the Mental Health Foundation, added: “While there’s an urgent need for policy changes to better support those struggling, there’s also a place for employers to offer accessible and efficient mental health services.
“This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week’s theme is community. For staff, our colleagues often form a part of our community, hence why it’s so important we feel supported.”
