Survey reveals mental health generation gap in our workplaces
by Startacus Admin
Millennials feel most under pressure in the workplace, reveals the UK’s biggest ever stress survey, released yesterday by the Mental Health Foundation, in partnership with Mental Health First Aid England to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week (14-20 May).
The UK’s biggest ever stress survey, conducted by YouGov, spoke to 4,619 people to understand the impact of stress on people’s health, relationships and working habits. The findings highlight a significant generational gap around workplace stress.
According to the survey, millennials are feeling the pressure at work.
Over a quarter of millennials (28%) state powering through stress is expected in their organisation’s culture, compared with just 12% of baby boomers. In addition, 
over a quarter of millennials (27%) often feel bothered by their stress levels during the working week as opposed to just 17% of baby boomers.
There is an increased spotlight on mental health awareness but on average, calculated across both generations, only 14% of people are comfortable speaking to a manager about their stress levels. This is despite a quarter of millennials (25%) saying they compromise their health to do their job, compared with 18% of baby boomers.
This generational divide is also highlighted through the impact of stress on workforce activity. Over a third of millennials (34%) have been less productive at work due to stress, versus only 19% of baby boomers.
Richard Grange, a spokesperson for the Mental Health Foundation, said: “The mental health impact of work can follow us home. A good job where we feel secure and supported can boost our mental health. But poor and insecure working conditions undermine good mental health.
“Millennials are more likely to have insecure contracts, low rates of pay and high entry-level workloads. The pressures they face in today’s employment market are very different to past generations.
“A degree, for example, was once considered the key to success. But that is no longer always the case. The more we understand about how experiences of work have changed – the less surprising it is they are experiencing high levels of stress.”
Commenting on the findings, Jaan Madan, Workplace Lead at Mental Health First Aid England, added:
“Coping with stress in the workplace starts with being able to have a conversation with your manager, and in a mentally healthy organisation everyone should feel comfortable talking about stress. Which is why Mental Health First Aid England has launched the Address Your Stress Toolkit, a free practical resource to help employers and employees identify the sources and signs of stress and take steps to help reduce the impact.”
Access the Mental Health First England ‘Address your Stress’ toolkit.
You may also want to read Startacus' previous article on Depression, Mental Health, Entrepreneurship & Startups or our recent feature on this mental health podcast that aims to spotlight startup life realities.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
At one-day event Ideation NI Thon, students will get the chance to solve global and local sustainability, environmental, city and health problems.
The lowdown on how an Australian startup generated global sales for their innovative product, "weighted blankets"...
At 82% the UK takes 4th place in the list of countries being most ready for automation and robotics, whilst 30% of UK population’s jobs are at risk of automation.
Recent research by Starling bank shows that in 2019, women earned up to £12,319 less per year than their male colleagues of the same age and within the same industry
Brandtech group, You & Mr Jones, has invested in ethical video startup Good-Loop who have closed a US $1.6m seed funding round.
2019 saw celebrities contribute to start-up investments in record numbers, surpassing a previous spike in 2015.
If you’re feeling under pressure from creditors, here is a brief breakdown of what, in the UK, is considered aggression and harassment from creditors.
The Digital DNA Awards, held in partnership with MCS Group, celebrate the best tech talent, from companies of all sizes, excelling in the world of Digital and Tech and not just in NI...
According to analysis by the Centre for Entrepreneurs, business formations reached new record in 2019 with more than five new tech startups launching every hour...
InsurTech businesses take note! Lloyd’s Lab is back and they are seeking solutions that have the potential to create real commercial value for the Lloyd’s market.
Published on: 14th May 2018
.png)
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Ideation NI Thon at NI Science Festival sets out to solve global issues 17th Jan 2020 At one-day event Ideation NI Thon, students will get the chance to solve global and local sustainability, environmental, city and health problems.
- 2019 stats show that the gender pay gap continues 14th Jan 2020 Recent research by Starling bank shows that in 2019, women earned up to £12,319 less per year than their male colleagues of the same age and within the same industry
- Digital DNA Awards 2020 nominations now open 13th Jan 2020 The Digital DNA Awards, held in partnership with MCS Group, celebrate the best tech talent, from companies of all sizes, excelling in the world of Digital and Tech and not just in NI...
- Five new tech startups launched every hour in 2019 13th Jan 2020 According to analysis by the Centre for Entrepreneurs, business formations reached new record in 2019 with more than five new tech startups launching every hour...
