A recent Benenden Health research involving 500 employers and 2000 employees across the UK reveals that mental health issues remain prevalent in the workplace, with 87 per cent of employees affected by stress, anxiety, burnout and depression.
While employers have taken positive steps to support their workforce, two main challenges persist: a significant lack of awareness among employees about available support and the lingering stigma around mental health.
What’s the awareness gap?
Despite 75 per cent of UK employers offering workplace mental health support, only 45 per cent of employees believe their mental health is a high priority for their employer.
Benenden Health says: “Over half of employees are unaware of the available support, suggesting the issue lies in communication rather than lack of resources. Employees can’t claim benefits they don’t know exist.”
Ironically, 90 per cent of employers plan to expand mental wellbeing benefits, potentially wasting money if employees don’t benefit from them.
The mental health stigma persists
There’s no doubt that both employees and employers value the importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace.
But despite progress, the stigma around mental health still persists, with a staggering 75 per cent of employees believing people view mental illness as a weakness. Benenden Health says: “This perception makes it difficult for people to open up, with over a third of employees feeling uncomfortable discussing their mental health with managers.”
Additionally, the fear of saying the wrong thing results in many employers saying nothing at all. While 89 per cent of employers can recognise signs of poor mental health, 55 per cent have held back from approaching struggling employees due to fear of mishandling the situation – creating a culture of silence that can be detrimental to employee wellbeing.
What can employers do to tackle these issues?
Addressing workplace mental health starts with understanding employees' needs. To help them do this, employers can:
- Add mental wellbeing questions to employee surveys or regular check-ins to identify areas for improvement
- Clearly and consistently talk to their employees about what mental health support is available to them. This will help employees open up and encourage them to use the services available to them
- Provide managers with training on approaching mental health issues, boosting their confidence in supporting their teams
Download Benenden Health’s expert guides to learn more about the seven practical steps for bridging the workplace awareness gap and a two-fold approach to tackling the stigma surrounding mental health.