Alarming Rise in Work-Related Mental Ill Health Across UK and Ireland

Recent statistics from both the UK and Ireland paint a concerning picture of the state of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Employers are facing increasing pressure to address work-related stress, depression, and anxiety, with regulatory bodies emphasising the legal and ethical imperative to safeguard employees' psychological health. The economic impact of this crisis is substantial, costing billions and affecting millions of workers annually.

The UK Landscape: Escalating Statistics and Economic Strain

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK has reported a significant uptick in work-related mental health issues. In 2024/25, an estimated 1.9 million workers suffered from work-related ill health. Mental health conditions remain the primary driver, with 964,000 workers reporting stress, depression, or anxiety caused or made worse by work in 2024/25. This figure represents a 24% increase from the previous year (776,000 cases in 2023/24) and is more than double the rate recorded when the HSE began collecting this data in 2001/02.

Mental ill health now accounts for 52% of all work-related ill health, making it the single largest cause of work-related absence. A staggering 22.1 million working days were lost in 2024/25 due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. The total cost of work-related mental health issues to the UK economy is estimated at £57.4 billion per year, with Deloitte's 2024 figures putting the cost to UK employers at £51 billion annually. Notably, female workers are disproportionately affected, being 25% more likely to report that their job impacts their mental health. In 2024/25, there were 3,220 cases of mental ill health per 100,000 female workers, compared to 2,580 per 100,000 for male workers.

The HSE stresses that work-related stress should be treated as any other workplace hazard, requiring risk assessment and control measures under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. While Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is not a legal requirement, employers have a non-negotiable legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the mental health and welfare of their staff. This means identifying and managing mental health risks is a legal necessity.

Ireland's Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace

Research indicates a worrying trend in Ireland. An ESRI study funded by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) found that job stress among employees more than doubled from 8% in 2010 to 17% in 2015. More recently, the HSA reported that over 60% of Irish workers experience higher stress levels compared to pre-pandemic times, largely due to hybrid working challenges, economic uncertainty, isolation, and heavier workloads. The Mind Health Report 2025 revealed that Ireland has the lowest average Mind Health score among nine EU countries surveyed, with 48% of the population reporting they are struggling or languishing.

Irish employers have a legal duty of care under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to protect employees from both physical and psychosocial risks. This includes managing stress, providing a safe working environment, and taking reasonable steps to support employee wellbeing. The HSA highlights mental health and psychosocial risks as a central part of its strategy, emphasising that work-related mental health risks must be managed through the same health and safety processes used for physical risks.

Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see health and safety trainer qualifications or explore working at heights trainer courses for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.

Despite three-quarters of Irish employers recognising their responsibility towards employee mental health, only one-third have implemented organisational responses, and just one-fifth have allocated dedicated budgets for mental health initiatives. This gap between intention and action leaves organisations exposed to rising absenteeism, high staff turnover, and strained workplace relationships. The Irish economy loses approximately €11 billion annually due to mental health issues, largely through lost productivity, with 11 million days lost through absenteeism each year at a cost of €1.5 billion.

Addressing the Crisis: Employer Responsibilities and Strategies

Both UK and Irish regulatory bodies are urging employers to adopt proactive strategies to safeguard mental wellbeing. The HSE's updated guidance in January 2024 specifically amends 'First aid at work: Guidance on regulations (L74)' to emphasise employers' responsibilities for considering employees' mental health in their first-aid needs assessments. This means employers should consider having individuals trained to identify and understand mental ill-health symptoms and support those experiencing a mental health issue.

The CIPD's 2025 Health and Wellbeing at Work report indicates that while the number of organisations with a standalone wellbeing strategy is increasing (57% in 2025, up from 44% in 2020), there are still significant challenges. A quarter of UK workers (an estimated 8.5 million people) believe their jobs negatively impact their mental health. Key drivers of negative impact include high workload, poor relationships with colleagues, and inadequate line management.

Employers are encouraged to:

  • Develop and communicate a clear mental health at work plan that promotes good mental health and outlines available support.
  • Develop mental health awareness among employees and encourage open conversations.
  • Train managers to recognise early warning signs and provide effective support.
  • Conduct regular stress risk assessments and implement appropriate control measures.
  • Offer reasonable adjustments for employees with mental health conditions, as required by the Equality Act 2010 (UK) and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Ireland).
  • Provide access to Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and other mental health resources.

These proactive steps are crucial not only for compliance but also for creating a supportive, resilient, and productive workforce. For further training and resources on health and safety, including mental wellbeing in the workplace, consider exploring options from Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.