Why are so many UK workers struggling with mental health?

We know that work can be good for our mental health. When working well, it can provide us with financial security, a sense of purpose and a place to connect with others. Yet new analysis from the Mental Health Foundation suggests that for millions of people across the UK, work is increasingly associated with stress, financial strain and poor mental wellbeing. 

Our latest report, The Foundation Reports: Employment and mental health inequality, paints a worrying picture of the state of workforce mental health across the UK. The findings show that poor mental health among workers has risen sharply over the last 15 years, reversing progress that had previously been made and highlighting the growing pressures facing workers. 

Alongside rising levels of poor mental health, our report found increasing numbers of workers feel that their job is negatively affecting their wellbeing. 

Around one in six workers (17%), equivalent to 5.6 million people across the UK, feel stressed or unhappy because of their job most of the time. This is particularly concerning because it represents a reversal of earlier progress.  

The levels of work-related stress and unhappiness experienced by workers have generally been in decline, since 2010/11, reaching their lowest point in 2018/19 when fewer than 15% of workers reported these experiences. The latest figures suggest those gains have now been lost. 

We know that when people feel persistently stressed or unhappy due to their job, the effects can extend far beyond the workplace. Poor mental health can impact relationships- in work and at home and often go hand-in-hand with poor physical health, affecting a person’s overall quality of life. This also has a knock-on effect for employers who may see lower engagement, higher levels of sickness absence and reduced productivity from workers. 

The growing impact of financial pressure 

One of the strongest themes emerging from our research is the relationship between financial wellbeing and mental health. 

Our report highlights how the cost-of-living crisis has coincided with worsening outcomes for workers' mental health. During this period, the proportion of workers experiencing financial hardship rose to its highest level since records began in 2009, reaching more than one in ten workers (11%). 

At the same time, dissatisfaction with income rose substantially. By 2023/24, 43% of workers reported being dissatisfied with their income, following the largest annual increase recorded during the cost-of-living crisis. 

These findings reinforce growing evidence that employment alone is no longer enough to protect people from financial hardship. For many workers, concerns about paying bills, managing household costs and maintaining a basic standard of living are creating ongoing stress and uncertainty. 

Financial insecurity is widely recognised as a major risk factor for poor mental health. When people feel unable to meet their basic needs or plan confidently for the future, it can undermine feelings of stability and wellbeing. 

Read the full report 

Mental health inequalities remain deeply entrenched 

While workforce mental health has worsened overall, some groups of people, who are already at risk of poor mental health, have become more deeply affected. 

Our findings show that people who already face a higher risk of developing poor mental health continue to experience some of the worst outcomes in the labour market. Disabled people, those living with long-term health conditions and young people all reported high levels of poor workplace wellbeing. 

Lone parents were also found to experience particularly high levels of financial hardship, reflecting the additional challenges they face; balancing caring responsibilities, employment and financial precarity.  

Our report details real life experiences, with contributions from vulnerable groups providing a powerful picture of how mental health inequalities continue to shape people's experiences of work. For many individuals, the barriers they face impact their physical and mental health, access to opportunity and inclusion in the workforce. 

The solutions are within reach 

Despite these concerning findings, our report makes clear that poor workforce mental health is preventable and early intervention, vital. Employers are uniquely placed to spot emerging difficulties early, have supportive conversations and take preventative action.  

Research consistently shows that good-quality work can be protective of mental health. The data also shows that the longer a person is absent from work, the worse it is for mental health outcomes.   

Secure employment, fair pay, strong relationships, reasonable adjustments, stay in work plans as well as proactive support during absence can all prevent problems escalating. Honest and clear management and positive (even playful) workplace cultures where workers feel trusted and able to speak openly about their mental health are critical factors in building psychological safety, which in turn is linked to stronger productivity and morale in the workplace. 

We need a new social contract between government and employers to incentivsie the actions that will prevent mental health problems at work and create healthier workplaces that benefit people, businesses, and the wider economy. We have outlined recommendations for both governments and employers to heed, with urgency: insert link 

Supporting good mental health at work is not just a benefit for workers. It is vital for businesses, communities and the wider economy. The evidence is clear. The challenge now is turning that evidence into action.