Businesses not collecting data on employee mental health

More than half of employers aren’t collecting data on employee mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression and stress. 

According to consultancy Barnett Waddingham, this means many organisations are missing chances to tackle mental health issues early on. 

This, it warned, could in turn lead to a drop in employee morale, a fall in productivity and increased absenteeism. 

Nevertheless, nearly three-quarters of employers still believe that their organisations are well-prepared to handle mental health issues. 

Julia Turney, partner, platform and benefits at Barnett Waddingham, said: “Business leaders are operating with naive optimism that they have the right systems and processes in place to support their staff. 

“But they’re working blind; they don’t have the visibility of data or metrics needed to make change. 

“Without accurate insights into workforce challenges, effective solutions are impossible."

Mental health problems have fuelled a rise in absenteeism at almost two-thirds of businesses (64%). 

But only two-fifths (41%) have stepped up spending on mental health support, and just one in four (28%) have increased training on mental health difficulties. 

According to Barnett Waddingham, employers have noted that issues such as stress and anxiety are most common among younger members of staff. 

This could be partly because this age group is the cohort that’s mainly accessing the mental health support that’s on offer. 

But this doesn’t necessarily mean that mental health conditions are more widespread among younger adults. 

Instead, employers’ observations could also suggest that many older people aren’t engaging with the issue of mental health. 

As a result, they might not be acknowledging any difficulties they may be going through or getting the support they need. 

So far, the research shows a mixed picture when it comes to investment in mental health support and engagement with the help that’s on offer. 

And many organisations believe they’re getting it right, even when they’re not gathering the data they need to provide the right assistance, when and where it’s needed most. 

But despite this, the findings do give some cautious cause for optimism.  

Figures showed that two-fifths (40%) consider strengthening mental health support programmes to be a key strategic priority. 

Meanwhile, nearly four in ten (38%) said they’re planning to put mental health support programmes in place. 

This could hopefully point to a possible improvement in investment and engagement across all age groups in the coming months and years.