Time to Talk Day highlights how UK workers still put on a ‘brave face’

Time to Talk Day highlights how UK workers still put on a ‘brave face’

Around 68% of UK employees said they felt the need to put a brave face when asked about their mental health, according to a survey among 5,000 people. When asked how they were feeling, 37% said they tended to just to rely on the stock phrase “Good thanks, and you?”, as a way to deflect the question.

The research was carried out to mark the tenth anniversary of Time to Talk Day, a nationwide campaign to encourage millions more conversations about mental health across workplaces, homes, schools and wider communities, run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in partnership with the Co-op.

Reasons to be brave

Half of the employees said they didn’t speak up about mental wellbeing worries because of ‘bigger things’ going on in the world and not wanting to be a ‘burden’. More than 30% thought that other people didn’t really want to know anyway. 27% feared they would be judged negatively.

The biggest impact on employee mental health was found to be the cost of living crisis (55%), followed by the pressures from work and the workplace (35%).

Come together

EAPA UK chair, Karl Bennett said: “No-one should be expected to talk about their personal concerns around mental health anytime they’re asked how they’re feeling. Obviously it has to be the right time, the right place — and with the right person. But when is that? That’s the real issue here.

“The sooner employees have that honest, open conversation about their mental health worries, the sooner they can start dealing with the symptoms and the underlying issues — and avoid a slide into much worse mental illness, requiring long-term support and treatment. EAPs are always there to provide that all-important ‘right moment’, with independent expertise that puts employees onto the best path to a healthier outlook.”