TERC’s extensive analysis identifies key mental health and wellness challenges facing UK workplaces over the next year.
- Financial stress is heavily impacting UK employees, with a notable rise in counselling sessions focused on monetary issues.
- Anxiety and depression rates remain high, necessitating robust support systems within workplaces.
- The ageing workforce presents unique mental health considerations for UK employers.
- Rising neurodiversity diagnoses highlight the need for effective support strategies in the workplace.
TERC, a prominent workplace well-being consultancy, has revealed significant insights from their analysis of over 100,000 counselling sessions conducted with UK employees. These findings spotlight the growing mental health challenges that employers in the UK are likely to encounter in the coming year.
Financial stress is a critical issue, significantly affecting employees due to the ongoing cost of living crisis. This has led to a 48% increase in employees seeking counselling for financial-related stress between 2022 and 2023. Employers are encouraged to adopt strategies such as providing access to financial education and offering flexible working arrangements to alleviate this burden.
Anxiety and depression consistently rank as top reasons for seeking counselling, following stress closely. There has been a noticeable 40% increase in depression and low mood diagnoses over the past year. While this rise may initially seem alarming, it reflects a positive trend of more individuals seeking help. This trend underscores the need for employers to offer robust support channels for employees who disclose their mental health challenges.
The ageing population is another critical factor impacting workplace mental health. As retirement ages rise, older employees face distinct challenges such as managing physical health issues and confronting ageism. The proportion of those aged 60 and over using TERC’s counselling services is increasing, highlighting the necessity for inclusive well-being initiatives that cater to all age groups.
Addiction continues to be a growing concern, with a rise in drug use recorded at 17% in 2023. Despite low numbers seeking treatment through Employee Assistance Programmes, the impact of addiction on employee well-being and performance is profound. Employers need to work towards removing the stigma surrounding addiction and provide safe environments for seeking support.
The increase in neurodiversity diagnoses, particularly ADHD and autism, necessitates supportive workplace strategies. However, the trend of unqualified diagnoses by employers and managers poses risks, potentially preventing employees from obtaining necessary treatments. Encouraging professional assessments and understanding can greatly benefit both employees and businesses.
Tracey Paxton, Chief Clinical Officer at TERC, expressed optimism about the rising number of employees seeking mental health support. She emphasised the importance of creating a culture where employees feel safe to discuss various mental health issues, though noted that some conditions, like age-related mental health and addiction, remain taboo. Employers are urged to support those who are struggling by establishing a supportive culture and appropriate referral channels.
Addressing these mental health challenges requires strategic and inclusive efforts from UK employers to foster healthier workplace environments.
