The differences in mental health support: public & private sector workers

The differences in mental health support: public & private sector workers

16th August 2019

By Tim Burnett & Qariem Radix

In recent years, mental health issues have finally been losing their taboo status.

From Prince Harry to Stormzy, high-profile people have been opening up about their emotional and psychological challenges – though there is certainly no room for complacency.

But can this change be seen in the average workplace? And, if so, which sector is more responsive when it comes to implementing mental health support for their workforce: public or private?

illustration of a counselling session within the work place

Workplace mental health: a statistical overview

 

The statistics around mental health in the workplace make alarming reading.

In 2017, the landmark government-commissioned study Thriving at Work found that around 15% of people at work have symptoms of mental health conditions.

Some 300,000 people with a long-term mental health condition lose their jobs each year – double the rate of those without. They are also three times more likely to have a lengthy period of sickness.

Mental health issues that begin in the workplace – such as stress –rarely stay there. Instead, they ripple out to employees’ home lives, causing untold damage to families and wider society too.

In our report, we’ve taken a closer look at mental health and wellbeing within both the public and private sector workforce. To download the paper in full, click below.

Download full report