Almost a third (30%) of respondents do not know who to talk to or where to turn for support with mental health issues, according to research by Westfield Health.
Its survey of 1,825 employees also found that 38% of respondents find it difficult to talk to anyone about their mental health.
The survey also found:
- 20% of respondents believe that their colleagues’ attitudes towards them changed when they returned to work following absence related to mental ill health.
- Almost a third (32%) of respondents feel they were treated differently by their line manager after returning to work following absence related to mental ill health.
- A quarter (25%) of respondents feel that admitting to a having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness.
Dave Capper (pictured), executive director, commercial at Westfield Health, said: “The research provides an in-depth insight into employees’ views about mental health at work. Employees reported not knowing who to talk to or where to turn, often feeling isolated and lost, and a quarter of those surveyed believed that admitting you have a mental health issue shows weakness.
“While mental health is becoming much more talked about in general, it’s clear that improvements still need to be made.”