Mental health challenges are increasing among the working population, who are experiencing high levels of stress, taking more sick leave, and seeking greater support from their employers, according to a new report.
ADVERTISEMENTThe survey, conducted by AXA and IPSOS across 16 countries among individuals aged 18 to 75, paints a concerning picture of worsening mental health worldwide, particularly within the workforce.
Respondents from Belgium, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States cited multiple factors affecting their mental well-being. These include financial instability, job insecurity, and constant exposure to negative news in the media.
One in three surveyed individuals suffers from at least one mental health condition, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent, showing no improvement from previous years, according to the study.
Emerging risks such as climate change and online threats are also contributing to mental health concerns. These issues fuel eco-anxiety, heightened stress levels, and, more broadly, bigger sense of fragility, Patrick Cohen, CEO European Markets & Health at AXA, explained during the presentation of thereport.
These concerns are also reflected among the working population who cite work-related stress and difficulty achieving work-life balance as major factors impacting their mental health.
"More than half of the working individuals that we have surveyed reported an above average stress level over the past two weeks," said Cohen.
He added that over a quarter of surveyed employees had taken sick leave in the past year due to mental health issues.
The study indicates that sick leave for mental health reasons is on the rise, now accounting for 27% of all sick leave in 2024, four points higher than 2023. In France, mental health is now the leading cause of long-term sick-leave.
The main consequences of work-related stress highlighted in the study include difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating or making decisions, and physical symptoms such as headaches and muscle tension.
It is estimated that depression and anxiety result in the loss of approximately 12 billion working days each year.
Young adults particularly affected
Among young adults aged 18 to 24, the numbers worsen. Mental health-related sick leave rises to 42% in this age group, and 85% of young adults in the study are potentially affected by anxiety, stress, or depression, even if only mildly.
“When we looked at those stats, we were quite shocked to see that there is a clearly very concerning generational divide in mental well-being with younger adults being far more impacted,” said Cohen.
He added that this trend has been evident in previous years and appears to be worsening.
Currently, 44% of young adults self-declare that they currently suffer from a mental health condition, 12% more than the general population.
The study also shows that young adults are excessively impacted by two factors: an excessive use of social media, and loneliness and isolation.
ADVERTISEMENTOver half (52%) of young adults, mention that social media impacts their mental health, compared to 36% of the general population.
Need for more workplace support
In this context, says the study, companies need to offer the right support to their employees.
"There is a general expectation from people, from employees in companies to get some support from the workplace while we see a gap in terms of what is really provided there,” said Nils Reich, CEO AXA Global Health.
While 47% of the people questioned said that their company has specific workplace policies in place to support mental health or wellbeing, 52% of the respondents wish their company would implement such support.
ADVERTISEMENT“When they [employers] offer solutions, they start to talk about the topic and to raise awareness, they can make a real and very meaningful difference to their employees and they can also fight their own issues with absenteeism and reduced productivity,” said Reich.
