Despite growing awareness of mental health, our data reveals that many workers across Leeds, and the wider region, still face significant challenges when it comes to mental health at work.
We partnered with independent mental health charity SANE to bring awareness and shed light on mental health in the workplace. As part of this collaboration, we conducted a OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK employed adults.
Lingering stigma
We found that a striking 35% of employees in the region feel uncomfortable discussing mental health at work, including disclosing if they have a mental health condition. This silence can be isolating and damaging, especially when nearly a quarter (23%) have taken time off for mental health reasons – eight per cent of whom felt unable to disclose the real reason for their absence.
This reluctance to speak up is compounded by a lack of trust and support. Only 33% of workers feel comfortable discussing mental health with their manager, compared to 39% who would confide in peers or team members. This gap highlights a critical need for leadership training and cultural change at the managerial level.
Support systems: a mixed picture
While 49% of employees say their employer was supportive upon returning from mental health-related leave, the other half paint a more troubling picture. Among those who didn’t feel supported:
Seventy-one per cent cited a lack of flexibility, such as they didn’t ease deadlines or allow them to take breaks
Seventy-one per cent also pointed to poor communication during and after their absence.
These figures suggest that support must go beyond surface-level policies. It requires proactive, empathetic engagement and a willingness to adapt working conditions to meet individual needs.
Workload and burnout
The leading cause of mental health strain? Heavy workloads, cited by 35% of respondents. This was followed closely by poor work-life balance (30%) and feeling undervalued (27%).
These stressors are not just anecdotal. Our 2025 salary guide research found that 40% of employees who are unhappy with their salary say it’s because they’re consistently doing more than their job description requires. This sense of being overworked and underappreciated is fuelling a mental health crisis across the region.
Eighty-one per cent of workers in Leeds and the wider region have experienced symptoms of burnout or exhaustion due to work. This is more than a personal wellbeing issue, it’s a productivity and retention issue that employers can’t afford to ignore.
Call for action
The message from employees is clear: they want more than token gestures. They want:
More flexible working arrangements (35%)
Better communication about existing mental health resources (32%)
More resources and support systems (30%)
Training for manager on mental health awareness (30%)
Only 14% of people think that mental health should be dealt with outside of work.
Despite these employee wishes, 27% of respondents say their employer doesn’t provide any mental health support. This is a missed opportunity - to improve wellbeing as well as build a more resilient, engaged workforce.
Discrimination and stigma: a persistent barrier
Perhaps most concerning from the research is that 24% of workers in and around Leeds have felt discriminated against or stigmatised at work due to their mental health. This is a stark reminder that awareness alone isn’t enough. We need action - policies, training, and leadership accountability - to root out stigma and create truly inclusive workplaces.
Leeds and the wider Yorkshire and the Humber region have a proud history of innovation, resilience, and community. It’s time to bring that same spirit to mental health in the workplace.
Employers must lead the charge by normalising mental health conversations, training managers to respond with empathy and flexibility, investing in meaningful support systems and listening to what employees are asking for.
As well as being the right thing to do, prioritising mental health at work is a strategic imperative for any organisation that wants to thrive.
Looking for further mental health and wellbeing advice? Take a look at our mental health and wellbeing hub for further guidance.
