One in five UK workers have poor mental health as rates hit 15-year high

A study published recently by the Mental Health Foundation has revealed that the number of UK workers with poor mental health has risen by an alarming 66% in just 15 years.

The most recent data found that more than one in five UK workers (22%), or 7.2 million people, were experiencing poor mental health in 2024. That’s 2.9 million more people than in 2009.

According to analysis by the Mental Health Foundation, a rising number of workers say their job is harming their mental health – one in six workers (17%), 5.6 million people across the UK, disclose feeling stressed or unhappy due to their job most or all of the time. This marks a reversal of earlier progress (figures had been falling since 2010/11 and were lowest during 2018/19, at under 15%). Improvements in work-related wellbeing have been undone and risk negatively impacting on engagement, participation and productivity in the workplace.

The findings are detailed in The Foundation Reports: Employment and mental health inequality, which includes analysis of the Understanding Society longitudinal dataset that surveys the same 40,000 individuals to track their experiences over the years.

The report links worsening worker mental health to growing financial pressures. During the cost-of-living crisis, the proportion of workers experiencing financial hardship spiked to its highest ever level (since 2009), to more than one in ten (11%), while income dissatisfaction reached 43% in 2023-2024 after recording its largest annual increase during the crisis. The findings reflect wider evidence showing that employment is increasingly failing to protect people from financial hardship.

The picture for UK workers’ wellbeing is looking bleak. However, there are actions that can be taken by employers and government which the charity says are not only good for workers but make good business sense.

Mark Rowland, Chief Executive at Mental Health Foundation, said:

“Work can and should support good mental health. At its best, it gives us purpose, social connection, financial security and a sense of control over our lives. That’s why it’s so concerning to see so many more UK workers struggling with their mental health than just 15 years ago.

“But this isn’t inevitable. We know what helps: secure jobs, fair pay, engaged managers, actions to prevent absence and support recovery and workplaces where people feel valued and able to speak openly about their mental health. 

“The solutions are within reach. Governments and employers across the UK can take action to prevent mental health problems at work, and create healthier workplaces that support people to thrive, benefiting people, businesses, and the wider economy.”

Although keenly felt by many, the last 15 years show workforce mental health decline has been worst for groups who are already at risk of developing poor mental health. Disabled people, those with long term conditions and young people are experiencing higher levels of poor workplace wellbeing outcomes. Lone parents also face intense financial hardship. This report focuses on workforce mental health inequalities and workforce exclusion of those groups, echoed by accounts made directly from people with lived experience.

The report details a series of recommendations for both governments and employers to better support employee mental health. This includes strengthening support for people to stay in and return to work while tackling the workplace and financial pressures that can damage mental health or push people out of employment altogether.

The Foundations Reports: Employment and mental health inequality can be read here: The Foundation Reports | Employment and mental health inequality | Report