"A preventative approach is the best way to see off the mental ill-health crisis that the UK is so clearly up against."
- Bree Rhodes-Wort - Simplyhealth
Simplyhealth’s new report, The Access Gap: Building healthcare around real working lives, has revealed that mental health is the leading cause of long-term absence among employees, with 17 million working days lost this year due to mental ill-health.
The report was released ahead of World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10th October and consists of research with 5,000 UK employees and 500 HR decision-makers.
It found that while 61% of employers say they offer mental health support, just 41% of employees say they have this in the workplace, leading the report to suggest that nearly a third of employees are unaware of what support is available to them.
14% of employees say their ability to access the right healthcare would be improved by faster mental health appointments, rising to 19% among Gen Z and 15% among Millennial employees.
On average, employees report losing 2.1 working days in the last year due to healthcare that was delayed or difficult to access, and 52% have delayed seeking healthcare in the last year, despite 66% saying faster access to healthcare would improve productivity at work.
The report also highlights the economic effects of continued barriers to healthcare, with the cost to the UK economy totalling £17 billion in 2025.
"17 million working days lost to mental ill-health is a stark reminder that poor mental health has far-reaching impacts - on individuals, communities and the economy," Bree Rhodes-Wort, partnerships development manager at Simplyhealth, said.
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"As a mental health first aider myself, I’ve seen first-hand the difference it makes to my colleagues when they can speak openly about their mental health, knowing that they'll be met with empathy, understanding and confidentiality. It is one of the most effective ways of supporting and sign-posting colleagues to the right support.
"That's why it's so important that managers have the confidence and skills to talk about mental health. When this is combined with accessible, professional mental health support through workplace health benefits, people can get help earlier, before problems escalate.
"Creating environments where conversations about mental health are normal, and support is easy to access, is one of the most effective ways employers can support the wellbeing of their people. A preventative approach is the best way to see off the mental ill-health crisis that the UK is so clearly up against."
Vicki Cockman, director of training and consultancy at MHFA England, added: "Employers are paying for mental health support that up to a third of their people may not know exists. Managers are best placed to close that gap, but they can't do it alone.
"Train them to have the conversation and signpost with confidence, then back them with wider organisational support. Our workplace mental health first aid standards set out what effective, sustainable provision looks like, helping employers move beyond one-off training to create cultures where employees thrive."
