Rising Poor Mental Health Among UK Workers: 22% Now Affected

The report highlights that around 5.6 million workers, or 17%, report their jobs cause them stress or unhappiness most or all of the time. This trend marks a reversal from previous improvements, where job-related distress had been declining since 2010 and reached its lowest rate of under 15% in 2018.

These findings are part of the report titled The Foundation Reports: Employment and Mental Health Inequality, which relies on data from Understanding Society, tracking about 40,000 households. The report warns that declining mental health among workers could lead to negative impacts on workforce participation, productivity, and the economy.

According to the research, the quality of employment plays a significant role in mental health outcomes. Good jobs provide a sense of purpose, income, and social connections, while poor working conditions, such as bullying or excessive workloads, can severely diminish mental wellbeing. Despite this, employment remains positively correlated with better mental health when compared to the general population.

The report points to the rising incidence of workplace bullying, unmanageable workloads, and a poor work-life balance as factors contributing to the increased mental health crisis. In 2024/25, mental health issues are projected to account for more than half of all work-related health conditions, leading to over 22 million working days lost due to depression, anxiety, and stress.

Financial insecurity exacerbates these mental health issues, with 11% of workers experiencing financial hardship, a figure that has doubled since 2014/15. Income dissatisfaction reached 43% in 2023/24, driven by the cost-of-living crisis. The foundation emphasizes the need to address financial security, highlighting it as a crucial factor influencing mental health.

Mark Rowland, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation, noted that work should enhance mental health, providing individuals with purpose and connection. He expressed concern over the increasing number of workers struggling with mental health, asserting that better job security and fair pay are essential for improving overall wellbeing.

The report also identifies vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities, young people aged 16–24, and lone parents, who face unique challenges that can decrease mental health and increase exclusion in the workplace. Those with disabilities are notably 1.5 times more likely to experience poor mental health than their peers.

Neurodivergent workers are also highlighted as experiencing significant wellbeing issues, facing higher risks of burnout and lack of psychological safety at work. Workers with disabilities or health conditions are more likely to leave employment due to mental health, with 34% of those still working reporting poor mental health, rising to 57.9% among those out of work.

Young workers show particularly concerning trends, with 26.1% of 16–24-year-olds reporting poor mental health. This figure jumps to 40.6% among young people not engaged in education or employment. Employment rates for lone parents remain notably lower compared to partnered parents, further complicating their mental health situation.

The report underscores the need for systemic changes within organizations, suggesting that employers focus on prevention by creating supportive work environments rather than only reacting to employee distress. Priorities include equitable pay, manageable workloads, psychological safety, and genuine flexibility in work arrangements.

Overall, while the rise in poor mental health among UK workers is alarming, the report emphasizes that better workplace practices can mitigate these issues and enhance mental wellbeing.