The latest HSE statistics for 2024 to 2025 clearly show that Work-Related Mental Health continue to present a serious and growing challenge across workplaces in Great Britain. From the very start, the data highlights how mental health pressures now affect a significant proportion of the workforce. More importantly, these figures underline why organisations can no longer treat psychological wellbeing as a secondary issue.
According to the HSE, an estimated 964,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety during this period. This total includes both long-standing conditions and new cases. Notably, 409,000 people reported a new case within the last 12 months. Therefore, almost half a million workers reached a point where mental strain became a recognised and reportable health concern in just one year.
As a result, the impact on productivity and wellbeing has been substantial. The HSE estimates that 22.1 million working days were lost in 2024/25 due to Work-Related Mental Health. In practical terms, this means millions of missed shifts, increased workloads for colleagues, and disrupted services. Consequently, businesses experienced reduced capacity, while employees faced mounting pressure in already demanding roles.
When we examine longer-term trends, the situation becomes even clearer. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of self-reported work-related stress, depression and anxiety were already increasing. However, the most recent three years of data remain above the pre-pandemic baseline of 2018/19. In other words, these pressures have not eased with time. Instead, they continue at consistently higher levels.
A similar pattern appears when reviewing lost working days. Prior to COVID-19, the data showed no clear upward or downward trend. However, current figures now sit noticeably higher than those recorded before the pandemic. Therefore, this suggests that the legacy of heightened stress and mental health strain has persisted rather than resolved.
Furthermore, the HSE data identifies specific sectors where the problem is more pronounced. Industries with higher-than-average rates include:
- Public administration and defence
- Education
- Human health and social care
These sectors often involve high responsibility, emotional demand, and sustained workloads. Consequently, the elevated stress levels reflected in the data align closely with the realities faced by people working in these environments.
Finally, when viewed over several decades, the data shows a clear long-term increase in work-related stress, depression or anxiety rates per 100,000 workers since the early 2000s. Although year-to-year fluctuations occur, the overall direction remains upward.
Ultimately, these findings reinforce the importance of proactive mental health support at work. Employers, managers, and team leaders all play a vital role. By addressing workload, improving communication, and promoting supportive cultures, organisations can help reduce harmful stress levels and build healthier, more sustainable workplaces.