Employers need to encourage staff to open up about mental health

For many years, mental health has been deemed a taboo subject and the workplace, some employees are still afraid of disclosing their mental health challenges over fears that this could hamper their career progression, and this is something that new research has highlighted. It is suggested that three in ten UK employees have concealed a mental health issue from employers, instead claiming that they are physically ill when they phone in sick.

A 2,000-strong survey found that those aged between 18 and 24-years-old were the most likely to conceal a mental health issue, with 37% admitting to doing so.

The report suggested a negative correlation between age and the struggles opening up about mental health challenges. For example, just 26% of those aged 33 to 44-years-old and 13% of those aged over 55-years-old said that they had concealed a mental health issue. The number of women reporting mental health issues during this period was higher than men.

With so many employees struggling to varying degrees in the pandemic, it is crucial that employers provide support, as well as promote an open and inclusive culture where staff feel that they can speak up about any challenges they may be facing.

Not only can this make a difference to the mental wellbeing of employees, but it can have huge benefits for morale, engagement and productivity too.