Employees uncomfortable discussing mental health: Vitality

The research, which surveyed 2,000 UK adults, showed 5% of those asked would speak to their manager about their mental health.

Of those workers surveyed, 41% have considered taking time off work due to stress, burnout or poor mental wellbeing. This figure rises to 53% among Gen Z workers.

Dr Arun Thiyagarajan, CEO, VitalityHealth, said "This new research highlights that if support depends on waiting for people to escalate serious concerns, too many people will fall through the cracks. 

"Businesses who move to a proactive and visible model of support, can make it easy for employees to access help independently and at an earlier stage. "

Vitality released research earlier this year which showed 37% of Gen Z aged 18-29 believed that protection insurance is not necessary for people aged 35 and under.

Thiyagarajan said: "That means offering a range of options people can engage with in different ways, whether that's digital tools to manage day-to-day mental wellbeing, structured self-help support, or access to therapy, all without unnecessary barriers or delays. 

"By making support more visible and easier to access, employers can help people act earlier, improving both individual outcomes and overall business performance."

Around 70% of employers said there is a lack of state support for the health and wellbeing of UK workers, according to research by industry body, GRiD.

The number of employers who held this view has increased over the past 12 months, rising from 63% in 2025.