3 Min Read
As we approach mental health awareness week in the UK (12th May - 18th May) we wanted to have a look at how mental health can impact how we show up every day and what employers can do to help support this.
Our mental health impacts how we think, feel, and act every day. It affects our ability to maintain relationships and work productively. In the UK, an estimated 15 % of workers have an existing mental health condition, and one in four have reported feeling unable to manage stress at work.
Some of the key contributors to poor mental wellbeing at work include:
• High workloads: 54 % of employees report heavy workloads as a primary cause of stress.
• Unpaid overtime: Nearly 45 % of workers regularly put in extra hours without pay.
• Low autonomy: Fewer than one-third of UK workers feel they have control over how they carry out their tasks, while two fifths report working at high speed under tight deadlines.
While many enter the workplace with pre-existing mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or PTSD, workplace stressors like these can significantly worsen or even trigger them in individuals with no prior diagnosis.
Chronic exposure to high workloads, lack of control or unsupportive management can create a psychologically unsafe environment that contributes to burnout and emotional exhaustion. For some, the workplace becomes the root of their distress, turning what should be a space of stability and growth into a source of harm.
❓Why This Matters
Poor mental health reduces overall wellbeing and makes it harder for individuals to flourish both at work and at home. Mental health conditions also raise the risk of serious physical illness. People with severe mental illness die on average 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population, often from preventable conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.
They can place strain on relationships, too. Over 60 % of those experiencing poor mental health say it negatively affects their friendships, family life and ability to connect with others, leading to isolation and reduced support.
There is also a significant economic cost. Mental health-related issues have an estimated £118 billion burden on the UK economy each year, with employers bearing around £51 billion of that through lost productivity, absenteeism and presenteeism.
❓What Workplaces Can Do to Support Mental Health
Monitor and act on data - Companies should regularly check in on how employees are doing by using wellbeing surveys and absence reviews. EY’s Health EY programme uses targeted analytics to tailor training and resources.
Introduce confidential support services - Robust Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and wellbeing portals can offer easily accessible help. Barclays Be Well programme provides 24/7 EAP access, live mindfulness sessions, fitness classes and speaker events.
Make a public, formal commitment - Companies taking visible steps, such as signing the Mental Health at Work Commitment demonstrates a genuine dedication to employee wellbeing. Unilever UK & Ireland signed the commitment in 2022 and has since embedded mental health awareness into its broader wellbeing strategy
Offer flexible and compassionate policies - Channel 4 introduced the UK’s first corporate pregnancy-loss policy in 2021, and Monzo now offers up to ten days’ paid leave for anyone affected by pregnancy loss.
Supporting mental health in the workplace is essential for creating a safe, productive, and inclusive environment. Simple steps like checking in with staff, offering confidential support, and making visible commitments can help make a lasting impact.
If you’re dealing with stress or mental health challenges, or just want to better support others at work, below are a few useful resources to check out:
Maryann Arku-Quainoo
May 7, 2025
