A lack of awareness of mental health conditions among baby-boomers is leading a significant proportion of older employees to neglect their wellbeing.
In an intergenerational study by Bupa UK, baby-boomers (aged 55+) were shown to be the most likely of all workers to delay or avoid seeking medical help for symptoms associated with mental ill-health. This is despite the fact that more than two thirds of employees in this age group suffer from symptoms associated with mental ill-health including anxiousness, continuous low mood, feelings of hopelessness and insomnia.
Mental health is now a boardroom priority for two thirds of businesses, showing a commitment to supporting employees through mental ill health. But many baby-boomers keep problems entirely bottled up at work. One in five (21 per cent) feel that it’s not appropriate to discuss mental health problems there, and only one in 10 confide in their colleagues or manager about their symptoms – making them among the least likely to do so. They’re also least likely of everyone to be aware of their employer’s mental health policy.
This is due to a lack of awareness that the symptoms could indicate a serious mental health problem. One in four older workers (24 per cent) say their symptoms ‘don’t indicate anything serious’ and others say that mental health simply ‘doesn’t affect me’.
This shows that more needs to be done to engage this group on mental health. Less than one in three over 55s feel confident in recognising the symptoms of conditions like depression and anxiety compared to their younger colleagues and younger workers overwhelmingly agree that information about mental health is more targeted at them.
The impact of this is that older employees are among the last to seek help for their symptoms, delaying for 54 days on average.
But with early diagnosis proven to significantly improve outcomes by aiding recovery or just improving how a condition is managed, health experts are urging employees to come forward and seek help earlier.
Pablo Vandenabeele, Clinical Director for Mental Health at Bupa UK, says.
It’s clear to see that awareness of mental health issues is improving, but more needs to be done to address information gaps to ensure that everyone feels confident in recognising and seeking help for a mental health concern. Mental health issues can affect us at any age and it’s important to seek support without delay, as early diagnosis and treatment can improve recovery rates. If you or a loved one is struggling with their mental health, it’s important to seek medical help.
Interested in wellbeing and mental health awareness? We recommend the Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Forum 2019 and Mental Health Awareness training day.
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
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