Men Are More Likely To Face Work-Related Mental Health Issues


Article heading image for Men Are More Likely To Face Work-Related Mental Health Issues

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Men are twice as likely to have mental health problems due to their job compared to problems outside of work, a new study has found.

UK mental health charity and support agency Mind surveyed 15,000 employees across 30 companies and found one in three men (32%) linked poor mental health to their job, compared to the one in seven men (14%) who say it’s problems outside of work.

Comparatively, women said their job and problems outside of work are equally contributing factors, with one in five women said that their job is the reason for their poor mental health, the same as those who say problems outside of work is to blame (19%).

“Many men work in industries where a macho culture prevails or where a competitive environment may exist which prevents them from feeling able to be open,” said Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind.

“It is concerning that so many men find themselves unable to speak to their bosses about the impact that work is having on their wellbeing and even more worrying that they are then not asking to take time off when they need it.

“Our research shows that the majority of managers feel confident in supporting employees with mental health problems, but they can only offer extra support if they’re aware there is a problem.

Image: Pexels

Image: Pexels

Researchers also found men were less prepared to seek help and take time off than women, and while two in five women (38%) felt the culture in their organisation makes it possible to speak openly about their mental health problems, only one in three men (31%) say the same.

Two in five women (43%) have taken time off for poor mental health at some point in their career, but this is true for just one in three men (29%).

This suggests that although men are more likely to have mental health problems because of their job, women are more likely to open up and seek support from their line manager or employer.

Troy Nankervis

10 August 2017

Article by:

Troy Nankervis




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