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Workers with depression or anxiety lose a quarter of the year in productivity – how can HR support them?

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Summary

A new report from TELUS Health's Mental Health Index has revealed that workers with depression or anxiety lose an average of 58 and 57 working days respectively, which is equivalent to 24% of the working year. The survey of 2,000 employees also found that 11% and 15% of the workforce have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety respectively. Mental health experts agree that mental health and productivity are linked, and that workplace environment, culture, and workloads can have a significant negative impact on workers' mental health. The survey also found that a quarter of workers would value better mental wellbeing support from their employer over a 10% pay rise. There has been almost no improvement in the overall mental wellbeing of workers in the UK since TELUS's last calculation of the Mental Health Index in April 2023.

Q&As

What percentage of the UK workforce has been diagnosed with depression or anxiety?
11% of the UK workforce has been diagnosed with depression, while 15% have been diagnosed with anxiety.

What is the average number of working days lost due to depression or anxiety?
Workers diagnosed with depression lose 58 working days of productivity each year, while workers diagnosed with anxiety lose 57 working days.

What is the Mental Health Index (MHI) and what were its findings?
The Mental Health Index (MHI) is a survey of 2,000 employees which found that employees who have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety lose a quarter (24%) of the working year, defined by the report as an average of 240 days. It also revealed that a quarter (26%) of workers would value better mental wellbeing support from their employer ahead of a 10% pay rise.

What are some workplace factors which can have a negative impact on workers' mental health?
High workloads and unclear job roles, lack of autonomy or lack of support or psychological safety in the workplace can all have a negative impact on workers' mental health.

How can organisations create cultures that promote mental wellbeing?
Organisations should ensure employees have access to mental health support and services, communicate these services, provide education to address stigma, foster a psychologically safe workplace, and provide support when needed.

AI Comments

👍 It is great to see that employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of mental health and wellbeing and are taking steps to support their employees. This article provides an important insight into the reality of how depression and anxiety can impact productivity and how HR professionals can help.

👎 This article fails to provide any real solutions to the issue of mental health and productivity, instead just offering up platitudes about how employers need to support their workers. There is no mention of how this can be achieved in practice.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how workers with depression or anxiety lose a quarter of the year in productivity and how HR can support them. The article points out that 11% of the UK workforce has been diagnosed with depression, while 15% have been diagnosed with anxiety. It also states that 26% of workers would value better mental wellbeing support from their employer ahead of a 10% pay rise.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. It's definitely concerning that so many people are affected by mental health issues, and it's great that workers would prioritize mental wellbeing support over a pay raise.

Me: Right. It really highlights the importance of creating a psychologically safe workplace and providing resources and real-time support for mental health issues. It also shows that managers play a key role in fostering a positive environment and providing support when needed.

Action items

Educate managers on the signs of depression and anxiety and how to support employees who may be struggling.
Create a psychologically safe workplace environment and culture that encourages employees to speak up about their mental health.
Develop a comprehensive mental health and wellbeing strategy that includes resources and real-time support for employees.

Technical terms

Mental Health Index (MHI): A measure of mental health and wellbeing, based on survey responses, with a higher number meaning better mental health and less mental health risk.
Psychological Services: Professional services that provide psychological support and treatment for mental health issues.
Psychological Safety: A workplace environment where employees feel safe to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement or repercussions.
Job Retention: The process of keeping employees in their current positions.
Job Promotions: The process of advancing an employee to a higher-level position.
Work Health Benefits: Benefits offered by employers to support the health and wellbeing of their employees.
Stigma: A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.