New statistics reveal that poor mental health now accounts for one in six long-term sickness absences in the UK, highlighting a growing crisis in employee wellbeing.
Data released by BrightHR, a leading provider of HR and health & safety software, shows a significant increase in mental health-related absences, up from 1 in 12 in 2016.
BrightHR’s findings are based on data collected from over 64,000 companies and more than 750,000 employees across the UK. Mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression, now represent 16.5 percent of all sickness absences lasting four weeks or more.
The report found that mental health-related long-term absences have steadily increased since 2016, peaking in 2021 at 16.8 percent. It also found that stress is the leading cause of long-term mental health absences, making up 42 percent of cases in 2024, followed by anxiety (27%), general mental health concerns (17%), and depression (14%).
Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR, commented on the alarming trend: “Poor mental health is now responsible for 1 in 6 long-term sickness absences in the UK, a substantial rise from one in 12 before the COVID-19 pandemic. While we’ve been aware of the growing mental health crisis, the impact on long-term sick leave is now evident.”
The pandemic and cost-of-living crisis
Price pointed to the combined pressures of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis as factors that exacerbated mental health issues in recent years. He warned that without significant action, this troubling trend is unlikely to reverse.
Data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) echoes this concern, with 17 million working days lost in 2022/23 due to stress, depression, or anxiety. A report by Lord Darzi also underscores the scale of the issue, noting that around 900,000 more working-age Britons are economically inactive compared to the start of the pandemic in 2020.
While government efforts are underway, including reforms to the Mental Health Act and increased mental health staffing, Price emphasised the responsibility employers have in addressing the issue:
“Employers must take proactive steps to support their staff’s wellbeing. This includes fostering an open, supportive work environment, providing access to mental health resources, and making reasonable adjustments to help reduce workplace stress.”
With mental health challenges at historic levels, the burden on both employees and businesses continues to grow. BrightHR is urging companies to prioritise mental wellbeing to prevent long-term absences and maintain productivity.
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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