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Careers
Colleagues In Crisis study has revealed the extent of the workplace mental health crisis
10 months ago
2 min read
New research has found that many of us say our jobs are impacting our mental health, with workplaces often ill-equipped to support employees.
When you think about your workplace, do you smile or shudder? A new report, Colleagues In Crisis, has revealed just how many of us say our work is affecting our mental health – and the results are eye-opening.
The research, commissioned by mental health platform Wysa, asked respondents how they felt about their workplace. Most shockingly, almost one in 10 said that they had “contemplated death” as a result of their work or within the workplace. The study stresses that although some employees are already arriving at work experiencing psychological stress, for some the workplace environment or tasks are contributing to these feelings. Moreover, 35% of workers said they have experienced emotional distance from others and a third have felt isolated or withdrawn.
In addition to looking at the link between the workplace and mental health, Wysa asked respondents whether they felt adequately supported at work and if their employers did enough to help. Out of those surveyed, only 36% received training on assisting colleagues with severe depression and four in 10 were uncertain about how to help a colleague. Worryingly, those in leadership positions seemed ill-equipped to provide the right support, as three in 10 people said they had experienced a manager who inappropriately responded to a colleague showing signs or symptoms of poor mental health.
In response to the study, Ramakant Vempati, president and co-founder at Wysa, said: “As the mental health crisis escalates to dangerous levels, the impacts on the workplace are profound. These findings underscore the critical need for comprehensive mental health assistance to create a culture of support and understanding. That starts with employers removing stigma and increasing access to mental health treatments.”
Images: Getty
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can also ask your GP for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies or you can self-refer.
For confidential support, you can call Samaritans in the UK on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
In a crisis, call 999.
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