Money worries are leading to many men struggling at work, according to a new study by Westfield Health.
In a poll of more than 2,000 economically active males, more than one in four said their mental health had declined over the last year.
Meanwhile, over two-fifths admitted that these issues had led to their productivity at work suffering.
Financial worries were found to be the most common cause of stress (44.2%), ahead of workplace stress (35.6%), anxiety about the future (32.6%) and burnout (24.2%).
This is being driven by many wider economic factors, in particular the rising cost of living, high interest rates and the possibility of a recession.
Men aren’t seeking help for mental health issues
Despite the prevalence of mental health problems among men, many aren’t actually looking for the help they need.
The Westfield Health poll found that more than two-thirds of men haven’t sought help for mental health issues over the previous year.
Figures also showed that over a quarter have no access to wellbeing support at work, and that if resources are on offer, more than half of men haven’t ever used them.
Responding to the study, Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health, said government efforts to improve mental health support are welcome.
However, he stressed that without a “real commitment” from employers to prioritise the health of their people, “these new measures could fail to tackle the root cause”.
“Employers have a crucial role to play here, by fostering wellbeing-first work environments and offering support that’s tailored to their workers’ health needs,” Mr Capper said.
“A wellbeing culture helps people to thrive at work - leading to happier, healthier, and more productive teams.”
Vicky Walker, group director of people at Westfield Health, added that employers must take “proactive steps to address the growing needs of their workforce”.
“Men’s health is in crisis,” she said.
“Clear communication and better alignment of benefits to men’s needs can make a world of difference.
“By empowering men to take charge of their health, employers can create a resilient and productive workforce.”
Written by James Glynn
Senior Financial Content Writer
