The toll of depression on employment is alarming, with over a third (33%) of those affected by the condition reporting that they have had to leave their jobs to prioritise their mental health, according to a recent survey conducted by Flow Neuroscience.
The survey highlights a troubling trend of silence surrounding mental health diagnoses, particularly among individuals aged 25 to 34, nearly half (46%) of whom have changed jobs due to their depression. For many, this transition comes at a financial cost; 64 percent of respondents who switched to “less stressful” positions reported a decrease in income, averaging £334 less per month. This translates to an annual salary reduction of more than £4,008.
Concerns about stigma continue to hinder open conversations about mental health. The survey revealed that 40 percent of individuals choose to keep their diagnosis secret, fearing judgment from others. Additionally, 39 percent expressed feelings of shame, while 30 percent of parents with depression worried that disclosing their condition would lead others to question their ability to care for their children.
Feeling isolated
The survey also found that a significant portion of individuals grappling with depression feel isolated in their struggles. Over a quarter (26%) have never confided in friends about having suicidal thoughts, and 22 percent have not shared these feelings with their partners. Fear of judgment is a pervasive issue, with 46 percent of respondents citing it as a reason for their secrecy, a concern more pronounced among women (51%) compared to men (42%).
Only 15 percent of participants reported being completely open about their depression, with more than a third (33%) choosing not to inform their parents. Among parents who are themselves battling depression, less than half (47%) actively encourage their children to discuss mental health, and 21 percent admit to struggling with such conversations. Alarmingly, 12 percent of these parents avoid the topic altogether.
Daniel Mansson, co-founder of Flow Neuroscience and clinical psychologist, commented on the findings: “The number of people with depression is getting higher, and waiting lists for treatment are growing longer. Many individuals are living with this illness in silence. There is still a lot of shame associated with mental health, but it is a medical condition that needs to be treated as such. We founded Flow Neuroscience to bring transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) treatment into people’s homes. Research indicates that it is an effective way to treat depression. Our goal is to assist those in need in their journey to recovery.”
Flow Neuroscience commissioned this survey to better understand the relationship between mental health and employment among individuals with depression. Founded in 2016, the company is dedicated to merging innovation with traditional healthcare approaches to enhance mental health support globally. Their flagship product, the Flow headset, is a medically approved at-home brain stimulation treatment for depression.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
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