15 May 2018
A survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation and Mental Health First Aid England has suggested that millennials feel under the most pressure at work when compared to any other age group.
According to the survey, more than a quarter of people aged between 18 and 38 work through stress, compared to 18% of so-called ‘baby boomers’ – those aged between 53 and 71. The survey, which polled more than 4,000 people, found that only 14% felt comfortable talking to their manager about stress.
This issue is also reflected in a separate report published by business network Business in the Community (BITC). BITC’s report suggested that less than a quarter of UK managers have received mental health training, with an additional 49% of bosses saying that they would welcome specific basic training.
One of the biggest fears about discussing mental health at work is prejudice and exclusion, the BITC found. These fears may be limiting employees’ ability to progress at work, according to the report.
BITC also revealed that the most common mental health diagnosis is depression and general anxiety.
Commenting on the issue, Jaan Madan, Workplace Lead at Mental Health First Aid England, said: ‘Coping with stress in the workplace starts with being able to have a conversation with your manager, and in a mentally healthy organisation everyone should feel comfortable talking about stress.’