Loneliness and mental health concerns common in workplaces

Two-thirds of employees struggle to raise a mental health issue with their employers, a UK-wide survey has found. Some UK companies have taken the lead to create more connected and mentally healthy workplaces by encouraging employees to spend 5 minutes on well-being focus daily with five other people (“Find 5 with 5” campaign).

Following a report stating that nearly half of the UK population feel lonely at times and 25 percent of adults have no close friends, an online survey of 8,000 adults conducted by Nuffield Health (UK’s largest healthcare charity) revealed that one-third of respondents found their mental health to have worsened in the past year. However, two-thirds of them struggled to raise a mental health or emotional well-being issue with their employers, and one-third were offered no physical and emotional well-being support whilst at work. [www.sense.org.uk/support-us/campaigns/loneliness; www.nuffieldhealth.com/healthiernation]

“It is worrying to see that the majority of UK employees are left to manage emotional issues on their own in the workplace,” said Gosia Bowling, National Lead for Emotional Well-being at Nuffield Health. Chronic loneliness not only affects work behaviour and performance, but also impacts physical and mental health. Additionally, a previous study showed that loneliness was associated with a 26 percent increase in the risk of premature mortality and was linked to depression. [Lancet 2018;391:426; Econ Hum Biol 2021;43:101056]

“People with poor mental health will behave in ways that make them experience more loneliness, with reduced motivation to talk about what is happening to them in a context of limited sources of support,” said the researchers. “These [findings] highlighted a need to provide people with the right mental and emotional well-being support in UK workplaces.”

In the “Find 5 with 5” campaign, individuals are encouraged to spend 5 minutes a day focusing on mental well-being with five people, which builds connections with others and contributes to a more inclusive workplace. Suggested activities include going for a walk or doing a guided meditation with colleagues, or taking longer lunches or leaving work earlier, which allows employees to spend more time with their colleagues, family or friends.

Attuned employers are recommended to actively look for signs of loneliness or distress (ie, reduced social interaction, reduced work performance and output) in employees and reach out to provide support. “For those experiencing loneliness, group video calls and water cooler conversations aren’t the answer,” said Gosia. “Individuals need to feel they are engaged in meaningful conversation.”