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Report reveals UK mental health crisis is worse than estimated in working people
New figures from a leading mental health app , Wysa , show that the UK mental health crisis is worse than estimated in working people . More than one in three ( 35 %) working people suffer moderate to severe depression or severe anxiety – three times higher than the estimated UK adult prevalence . Official figures point to one in six of us struggling with mental health , up from one in 10 prior to the Coronavirus pandemic .
And UK employees aren ’ t speaking up , with half not speaking to healthcare professionals , and only one in 10 ( 13 %) comfortable enough to admit needing some time off for mental ill health to their employers .
According to the latest research from Wysa , 11.3 million adults should be getting some kind of therapy or support for moderate to severe anxiety or depression . The latest Health and Safety Executive report points to 914,000 workers suffering from work-related stress , depression or anxiety in 2021 / 22 – but this research suggests a much greater issue .
The rate of moderate to severe anxiety or depression is higher amongst younger people – nearly half ( 44 %) of under 24s are demonstrating symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety , compared to 27 % over 54 . The same pattern is seen when it comes to depression . Twice as many under 24s show scores suggesting moderate to severe depression as those over 55 ( 46 % vs 21 %). Overwork , the challenges of the economy and difficulties affording rent or houses are all taking a toll on the next generation .
These findings correlate with the recent Institute of Fiscal Studies report that stated the number of working age new disability benefit claimants has doubled in the past year . Around a third of new claims were for mental health conditions . Among claimants under 25 that figure rose to 70 %.
Despite a growth in wellbeing programmes and many organisations speaking about mental health at work , people fear speaking up . When facing a period of mental ill health and feeling unable to work , a quarter of employees ( 24 %) have taken time off as sick , using physical illness as the reason , and one in five ( 22 %) have taken time off as holiday time using paid time off . Half ( 48 %) have gone to work regardless and only 14 % have been honest and taken time off as sick , using stress or mental health as the reason . One in five ( 18 %) aged 25 – 34 have been honest , compared to one in ten ( 9 %) aged 55 – 64 .
Of all employees , if mental state was impacting their ability to work , men are more likely to take paid time off ( 25 %) than women ( 17 %) although women are slightly more likely to go to work anyway ( 54 % vs 47 %).
There could be a solution out there and an appetite for a digital option . More than four in five ( 83 %) would prefer to talk to a mental health app , with clinically proven self-help resources tailored to their needs , rather than their HR , and half ( 53 %) would choose an app over a therapist . x
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