Young employees worldwide are worried that revealing mental health issues to their employers could have a negative impact on their career progression, according to a new study.
The latest research from digital mental health service provider Morneau Shepell found that mental health continues to be a taboo subject for many young people, despite increased efforts to reduce the associated stigma; especially in countries like the US, UK and Australia. The studies also revealed that young Americans, Britons and Australians with declining wellbeing are relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the cumulative stress and uncertainty, such as increased alcohol consumption.
THE US
Mental Health Statistics
According to the US study, around 41% of Americans believe that their career options would be limited if their employer was aware that they had a mental health issue. Within this group, 50% believe their career would be impacted if their employer knew of a mental health issue, compared to 35% of non-managers. Mental health also continues to be an uncomfortable topic for many people to broach with friends. Around 35% believe they would be treated differently if their friends knew about their mental health issue.
When broken out by age, young Americans reported being more concerned about limited career options after revealing they are struggling with a mental health issue than older demographics; (54% of respondents aged 20 to 29, improving with age to 33% among those 60 and above). The report also revealed that young Americans with declining wellbeing are relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the cumulative stress and uncertainty.
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
The research found that 14% of respondents increased alcohol consumption early in the pandemic (March to May 2020). Around 45% reported that they have maintained the same level of alcohol consumption in recent months (October 2020 to January 2021), compared to early in the pandemic. An additional 8% of respondents indicated that alcohol consumption has increased from October 2020 to January 2021, compared to early in the pandemic. Individuals who reported increased alcohol consumption early in the pandemic also reported the lowest mental health score (-15.5), compared to those who do not drink (-2.3), or those who decreased their alcohol consumption (-7.7).
Top Concerns
“Americans have navigated through unparalleled challenges brought on by the pandemic over the past year, with employees feeling heightened levels of anxiety and stress. While efforts made by the government to expedite vaccination rollout and ease restrictions in several states appear to be contributing to slight improvements in Americans’ wellbeing, it’s important to recognise that the mental health crisis we’re facing is far from over. Anxiety, depression and isolation are still sitting well below the pre-pandemic benchmark,” noted Stephen Liptrap, President and Chief Executive Officer of Morneau Shepell. “People leaders have a responsibility to strengthen the support they are providing to their teams in this new stage of the pandemic and balance optimism about the future with regular and transparent communication.”
“Even if one does not have a stigmatising mindset, there is no immunity against that mindset in others,” stated Paula Allen, Global Leader and Senior Vice President, Research and Total Wellbeing at Morneau Shepell. “It is concerning that workplace stigma is more prevalent than community or any other kind of mental-health stigma. Add to that the fact that remote work has caused significant mental strain for many Americans throughout the pandemic, regardless of whether they struggled with mental health concerns previously. The sense of belonging and acceptance in a workplace can become fragile over the period of remote work; so organisations and leaders need to communicate and show concern about individual wellbeing and address issues of stigma to help counter this.”
Click here to download the US report.
THE UK
Mental Health Statistics
Reports of multiple highly contagious variants of the Covid-19 virus, restrictions across the country and the threat of a third wave continue to negatively impact Britons’ mental health, according to the UK study.
Young Britons are concerned that revealing mental health issues will impact workplace and personal relationships. Mental health continues to be a taboo subject for many Britons, despite increased efforts to reduce the associated stigma. Around 48% of Britons believe that their career options would be limited if their employer was aware of their mental health issue, highlighted the study. Within this group, more than half of managers (54%) believe their career would be impacted if their employer knew of a mental health issue, compared to 42% of non-managers. Mental health also continues to be an uncomfortable topic for many people to broach with friends. In fact, 38% believe their friends would treat them differently if thy learned about their mental health issue.
When broken out by age, young Britons reported being more concerned about limited career options after revealing they are struggling with a mental health issue than older demographics; (54% of respondents aged 20 to 29, improving with age to 40% among those aged 60 and above).
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
As in the US, Britons with declining wellbeing are relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms, according to the study. The continued pandemic-driven strain on mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing has led some Britons to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the cumulative stress and uncertainty.
The research found that 19% have increased alcohol consumption early in the pandemic (March to May 2020). More than half of respondents (52%) reported that they have maintained the same level of alcohol consumption in recent months (October 2020 to January 2021), compared to early in the pandemic. An additional 11% of respondents indicated that alcohol consumption has increased from October 2020 to January 2021, compared to early in the pandemic. Individuals who reported increased alcohol consumption early in the pandemic also reported the lowest mental health score (-24.1), compared to those who do not drink (-11.5), or those who decreased their alcohol consumption (-13.7).
Top Concerns
“Britons’ optimism and confidence about the future is decreasing at a concerning rate, in turn impacting overall wellbeing; and doing harm to the resiliency that has historically characterised this nation,” highlighted Philip Mullen, Morneau Shepell’s Managing Director of UK and Europe. “Britons are suffering, and we’ve reached a critical point in the pandemic where individuals with no previous mental health concerns are also now at risk. It is especially imperative that employers offer a helping hand to support their employees; and show that support is available to help them navigate through these difficult times. Having an open dialogue is no longer enough. Action is required to successfully address the evolving challenges brought on by the pandemic.”
“As the UK population faces the reality that the country has been under immense pressure for a full year, employers’ actions regarding mental health have never been more important,” added Allen. “In addition to workplace stigma and social stigma, self-stigma is a prevalent issue amongst respondents; and it’s especially important to keep in mind that others around us could be suffering silently. We need to continue taking action to help diminish the stigma of mental health. It’s in our collective responsibility as employers, colleagues and friends to ensure those in need feel supported.”
Click here to download the UK report.
AUSTRALIA
Mental Health Statistics
Mental health continues to be a taboo subject for many Australians in the workplace, despite increased efforts to reduce the associated stigma. In fact, 52% of Australians believe that their career options would be limited if their employer became aware of a mental health issue, confirmed the study. Within this group, 58% of managers believe their career would be impacted if their employer knew of a mental health issue, compared to 47% of non-managers. Mental health also continues to be an uncomfortable topic to broach with friends; with 41% indicating that they believe they would be treated differently if their friends learned about their mental health issue.
When broken out by age, young Australians are more concerned about limited career options after revealing they are struggling with a mental health issue than older demographics; (56% among individuals aged 20 to 29, improving with age to 45% among those 60 and above).
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
Like the US and UK, Australians with declining wellbeing are also relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms. The continued pandemic-driven strain on mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing has led some Australians to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the cumulative stress and uncertainty.
The research found that 13% of respondents increased alcohol consumption early in the pandemic (March to May 2020). Around 50% have maintained the same level of alcohol consumption in recent months (October 2020 to January 2021), compared to early in the pandemic. An additional 11% indicated that alcohol consumption increased from October 2020 to January 2021; compared to early in the pandemic.
Individuals who reported increased alcohol consumption early in the pandemic also reported the lowest mental health score (-21.0), compared to those who do not drink (-9.9), or those who decreased their alcohol consumption (-6.6).
Top Concerns
“While overall scores have improved since the start of the pandemic, the recent plateau reflects the contrast between the additional anxiety caused by further state shutdowns; and the positivity from the launch of the immunisation programme. Overall, there are still improvements to be made in supporting the population,” said Jamie MacLennan, Morneau Shepell’s Managing Director, Australia and APAC. “The levels of distress among the working population are concerning. Reminders of support, open conversation about mental health to de-stigmatise it and practical problem-solving are all critical for employers in their support of employees.”
“Efforts to eliminate the stigma of mental health must be maximised. Stigma adds an extra burden to anyone struggling, which actually creates more stress and results in delayed care,” explained Allen. “Stigma is also a factor in isolation for those with mental health concerns. Isolation is always damaging and we are feeling more of it now than ever. Anyone struggling with their mental health needs more social support, not less.”
Click here to download the Australia report.
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