Workers report escalating levels of anxiety and substance abuse
The number of employees who categorise their mental health as very poor jumped from 5% to 8% in the past year. File picture
A growing number of Irish employees are reporting poor mental health.
They are suffering from escalating levels of anxiety and 14% are struggling with substance abuse as a result. These were some of the key findings shared at the Workplace Wellbeing Summit organised by Laya healthcare in Dublin’s Fuel Studios.
Compered by radio presenter and managing partner of Healy Communications Jonathan Healy, the summit discussed the health provider’s Workplace Wellbeing Index.
This index is based on a countrywide survey of 1,000 employees and 200 HR professionals. It has been carried out annually since 2020 and its aim is to identify the health and wellbeing trends that will dominate workplaces in the year ahead.
Mental health concerns top this list of trends, with the number of employees who categorise their mental health as very poor jumping from 5% to 8% in the past year.
Anxiety appears to be the chief culprit. According to the index, issues such as finances and the cost of living are causing 20% of women and 12% of men to feel anxious all the time.
Some 14% said they were so affected by poor mental health that they resorted to substance abuse as a distraction, a figure that had doubled in 12 months.
“These findings should be a red light for employers,” said Sinead Poos, the head of health and wellbeing at Laya healthcare, who spoke at the summit.
“These are real issues affecting the people who work for them, and they owe these people a duty of care. After all, if they look after their employees, their employees will look after their business.”
On a more positive note, there are signs employers are heeding this message, with 70% of employees reporting feeling supported by their employers to look after their mental health.
Another trend highlighted by the index was the need to prioritise women’s health. Two thirds of employees agreed it was important for employers to have a menopause leave policy in place.
Operation Transformation GP and women’s health specialist Dr Sumi Dunne emphasised progress had to continue to be made in this area.
“It’s great that both employers and employees now realise how important it is to support female workers in this way,” she said.
“Women’s health affects their performance at work, from menstruation and fertility issues right through to menopause and it’s vital that practical workplace policies are put in place to support them.”
Other speakers at the summit discussed findings ranging from the change in hybrid working practices as more employees return to the office midweek, and the move towards a shorter working week.
The full Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index is published on November 10.
