One in five adults will experience a clinically significant episode of depression in their lifetime. We’re now seeing how that plays out at work, with poor employee mental health becoming the leading cause of work-limiting conditions for people aged 44 and under.
The financial cost of declining employee wellbeing is just as concerning. In 2023/24 alone, work-related mental health issues cost the UK economy £57.4 billion – nearly double the figure from previous years and still rising.
When mental health at work isn’t supported, the impact is real – for individuals, teams, and the businesses they’re part of. So, what happens when you do invest in mental wellbeing at work?
Businesses that invest in employee wellbeing are better placed to reduce long-term absence, spot early warning signs and better support their team’s mental health before stress turns into burnout.
In the last year, 1.7 million workers experienced work-related ill health, with almost half of these cases linked to stress, depression, or anxiety – contributing to 16.4 million lost working days. Early support changes that trajectory.
With mental health workshops and tailored wellbeing services, you can help people feel more in control, reduce the risk of prolonged absence and protect your business from the growing cost of avoidable time off.
When employees are struggling but still show up to work, performance suffers and so does wellbeing. This ‘presenteeism’ is now one of the biggest hidden costs to businesses, estimated at £605 per employee, every year. The impact is growing. Nearly 75% of employees have seen presenteeism in their workplace, and among younger workers, the number who say their mental health limits their ability to work has more than quadrupled in the past decade.
Investing in workplace mental health support like wellbeing workshops doesn’t just reduce absence – it helps people show up at their best, not just physically, but mentally too.
A workplace where people feel safe to talk about mental health makes all the difference. When managers are approachable and open, teams feel supported, communication improves and tensions ease naturally.
However, recent studies show that nearly half of employees still worry about speaking up about mental health at work, which can cause stress and misunderstandings. When businesses offer mental health training for managers, absences linked to mental health drop by 30% — showing that support really does help.
Creating a culture where wellbeing is openly discussed doesn’t just reduce stress; it helps people feel more connected and valued, leading to stronger teams, better engagement, and a 20% increase in retention.
Investing in employee wellbeing isn’t just the right thing to do - it’s a smart business decision. If you’re ready to support your team’s mental health and create a healthier, more productive workplace, we’re here to help.
Get in touch today to find out how our tailored wellbeing services and workshops can benefit your people and your business.
1https://www.teamsense.com/blog/absenteeism-workplace-statistics
2https://www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/analysis/what-we-know-about-the-uk-s-working-age-health-challenge
3https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/Key-workplace-mental-health-statistics-for-2024/
4https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9366/
5https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/the-cost-of-presenteeism/
6https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/Key-workplace-mental-health-statistics-for-2024/
7https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/Key-workplace-mental-health-statistics-for-2024/
