Recent Benenden Health research involving 500 employers and 2,000 employees across the UK reveals that mental health issues remain prevalent in the workplace, with 87% of employees affected by stress, anxiety, burnout and depression.

While employers have taken positive steps to support their workforce, two main challenges remain: a significant lack of awareness among employees about the support available and the persistent stigma surrounding mental health.

What is the awareness gap?

Despite 75% of UK employers offering mental health support at work, only 45% of employees consider their mental health to be a high priority for their employer.

Benenden Health says: “More than half of staff are not aware of the support available, suggesting the problem is communication rather than a lack of resources. Employees can’t claim benefits they don’t know exist.”

Ironically, 90% of employers plan to expand mental wellness benefits, potentially wasting money if employees don’t take advantage of them.

Stigma around mental health persists

There is no doubt that both employees and employers appreciate the importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace.

But despite progress, stigma around mental health still persists, with a staggering 75% of employees believing that people view mental illness as a weakness. Benenden Health says: “This perception makes it harder for people to open up, with over a third of employees feeling uncomfortable discussing their mental health with managers.”

In addition, the fear of saying the wrong thing causes many employers to say nothing at all. While 89% of employers can recognize signs of poor mental health, 55% have refrained from addressing struggling employees for fear of mishandling the situation – creating a culture of silence that can be detrimental to employee wellbeing.

What can employers do to solve these problems?

Addressing mental health in the workplace starts with understanding the needs of employees. To help them do this, employers can:

• Add mental wellness questions to employee surveys or regular checks to identify areas for improvement
• Communicate clearly and consistently with their employees about what mental health support is available to them. This will help employees open up and encourage them to use the services available
• Provide training to managers on tackling mental health issues, increasing their confidence in supporting their teams

Download Benenden Health Expert Guides to learn more about the seven practical steps to bridging the awareness gap in the workplace and a two-pronged approach to tackling the stigma surrounding mental health.