Mental health at work: statistics

It is estimated that 15% of UK workers have an existing mental health condition1.

Poor mental health can negatively impact on [or hinder] participation in employment

  • In 2022, mental health was the 5th most common reason given for sickness absence, accounting for 7.9% of occurrences2.
  • Mental ill health is now the most common cause of work-limiting conditions among those aged 44 years and younger3.
  • Over the past decade, the number of workers aged 16–34 years who reported that their mental health limits the type or amount of work they can do has more than quadrupled4.

Working conditions and environment can also have a significant impact on mental health

  • In 2022/23, there were an estimated 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, resulting in 17.1 million working days lost5.

The economic case for prevention

  • Poor mental wellbeing costs employers in the UK an estimated £42 billion to £45 billion annually through presenteeism, sickness absence and staff turnover6.
  • Recent research finds that, on average, there is a positive return on investment of around £5 for every £1 invested in mental health interventions in the workplace7.

Browse all of the mental health statistics

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Mental health and wellbeing in a modern workplace

References

  1. Stevenson, D., & Farmer, P. (2017). Thriving at Work: A Review of Mental Health and Employers. Available at:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/658145/thriving-at-work-stevenson-farmer-review.pdf
  2. Office for National Statistics (ONS), released 26 April 2023, ONS website, article, Sickness absence in the UK labour market: 2022 
  3. The Health Foundation. (2023). What we know about the UK’s working-age health challenge. Available at:https://www.health.org.uk/publications/long-reads/what-we-know-about-the-uk-s-working-age-health-challenge
  4. Ibid
  5. Health and Safety Executive. (2023). Health and safety at work: Summary statistics for Great Britain 2023. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/assets/docs/hssh2223.pdf
  6. Deloitte. (2020). Mental health and employers: refreshing the case for investment. Available at: https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/services/consulting/research/mental-health-and-employers-refreshing-the-case-for-investment.html
  7. Ibid