UK workplace mental health issues on the rise – Red Cross says training is the answer

New annual statistics released in November 2025 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have revealed a 24 per cent increase in employees suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety over the last 12 months. 

It is reported that almost one million workers (964,000) across Great Britain suffered from a new or existing mental health issue in 2024/25. This figure is up by more than 180,000 employees from the previous year (776,000). While this could suggest an uptick in employees willing to report their mental health conditions to their employer, it highlights a worrying trend in the working conditions and general wellbeing of the British workforce. With new cases of stress, depression or anxiety making up more than 40 per cent of workers in question, matching numbers from 2023/24, it is clear that more preventative work needs to be done to prioritise and champion positive wellbeing at work. 

More than four working weeks lost per case

Aside from the detrimental impact of poor mental health on individual productivity and team morale, the cost of working days lost to organisations is significant. The report estimates that 22.1 million working days were lost over the last year due to employees being absent with various mental health conditions. This equates to an average of 22.9 days lost per case – more than four weeks of an employee’s working year. 

While females overall had significantly higher rates of reported mental illness compared to men – with women aged 25-34 in the highest bracket – stress, depression or anxiety accounted for more than half (52 per cent) of all work-related ill health and 62 per cent of all working days lost as a result. 

High workload and tight deadlines lead the causes 

The public administration and defence sector experienced the highest number of work-related mental health issues (3.5 per cent per 100,000 workers), followed by human health and social work, and education. All had higher-than-average rates of self-reported conditions, with the average across all sectors at two per cent per 100,000 workers.

The most common work factors cited by respondents as causing work-related stress, depression, or anxiety were workload pressures, including tight deadlines and excessive responsibility. 

Other factors identified included a lack of managerial support, violence and bullying, organisational changes, and role uncertainty (including a lack of clarity about the job or an uncertainty over role responsibility).  

Why preventative workplace training is key 

Work-related stress, depression or anxiety is defined as a harmful reaction people have to undue pressures and demands placed on them at work. Taking a proactive and preventative approach to mental health in the workplace allows organisations to look at wellbeing holistically, working to create a positive and safe work environment which champions mental health, encourages open communication, and reduces stigma. 

The HSE recommends organisations include mental health considerations in their first aid needs assessments and plan the training they require accordingly. While British employees are seemingly becoming more comfortable and confident in reporting mental health issues as they would physical health conditions, the work to reduce stress, build resilience and spot signs and symptoms before they become more serious relies on investment in workplace training. Red Cross Product Manager Louise Fernand explains: 

“The crux is working to create a positive working environment,” says Louise. “It’s positive that we’re seeing employees reporting their mental health issues and organisations taking it seriously – but work should be starting much earlier than this. Mental health training for staff gives team members the tools and techniques to manage stress, recognise symptoms and better support themselves and their colleagues.“

Visit out Mental Health at Work page to find out more information on preventative training or to browse courses for yourself or your team.