More than one in five UK workers is now experiencing poor mental health, according to new research highlighting a growing challenge for employers and HR teams.
The Mental Health Foundation’s Employment and Mental Health Inequality report estimates that 7.2 million workers are experiencing poor mental health: an increase of 2.9 million, or 66%, since 2009. At 22%, the proportion is the highest recorded since the data series began.
The findings have particular relevance for HR leaders in the video games industry, where employers continue to examine issues including workplace wellbeing, retention, flexible working and the development of younger talent.
Crucially, the research suggests employment itself can either protect or undermine mental health. Supportive and secure work can promote wellbeing, while factors including workplace bullying, excessive workloads, under-resourcing and poor work-life balance can contribute to declining mental health.
One in six workers now reports feeling unhappy or stressed because of their job most or all of the time. Meanwhile, stress, depression and anxiety contributed to more than 22 million working days being lost during 2024/25.
Younger employees are emerging as a particular concern. Workers aged 16–24 are significantly more likely to experience poor mental health than the workforce average, with their wellbeing declining more sharply since 2018.
The report points to fewer entry-level opportunities, financial pressures and insecure employment among the challenges affecting this group.
For employers, the Mental Health Foundation recommends flexible and hybrid working, inclusive recruitment, psychologically safe workplace cultures, accessible mental health support and better-equipped line managers.
The report concludes that creating mentally healthy workplaces can benefit employers as well as employees, supporting staff retention and more productive organisations.
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