Research commissioned by Mind (UK) has found that work is the most stressful factor in people’s lives with one in three people (34 per cent) saying their work life was either very or quite stressful, more so than debt or financial problems (30 per cent) or health (17 per cent).
The survey of over 2,000 people found that workplace stress has resulted in 7 per cent (rising to 10 per cent amongst 18 to 24 year olds) having suicidal thoughts and one in five people (18 per cent) developing anxiety.
Stress has often caused people to resort to alcohol and drugs to cope. Nearly three in five people (57 per cent) say they drink after work and one in seven (14 per cent) drink during the working day to cope with workplace stress and pressure.
Other coping mechanisms people cited were smoking (28 per cent), taking antidepressants (15 per cent), over the counter sleeping aids (16 per cent) and prescribed sleeping tablets (10 per cent).
The findings also show that a culture of fear and silence about stress and mental health problems is costly to employers.
Chief Executive of Mind, Paul Farmer, said: "Work related mental health problems are an issue too important for businesses to ignore.
"Our research shows that employees are still experiencing high levels of stress at work, which is negatively impacting their physical and mental health.
"We know that right now, one in six workers is experiencing depression, stress or anxiety and yet our survey tells us that most managers don’t feel they have had enough training or guidance to support them.
"Improving mental wellbeing in the workplace doesn’t have to cost a lot. Our research shows that people whose organisations offered flexible working hours and generous annual leave said such measures supported their mental wellbeing."
The study found that three in five people said that if their employer took action to support the mental wellbeing of all staff, they would feel more loyal, motivated, committed and be likely to recommend their workplace as a good place to work.
Is work the most stressful thing in your life? Or is it something else? Tell us what stresses you out the most.
