More people across the South East report feeling stressed at work
40% of people across the region have felt the need to take time off because of their mental health during the pandemic
New figures released on Time to Talk Day (February 4th) show that mental health is still taboo when it comes to taking time out across the South East.
A survey of over 4,700 UK adults revealed that 40% of people in the region have felt the need to take time off work, school, or university due to a mental health problem during the pandemic.
Worryingly, despite so many recognising a need to take time out, only 12% actually did so.
When facing a mental health problem, support from friends, family and colleagues can make all the difference. However, whilst a significant number of people have struggled with their mental health, many have simultaneously seen their support networks shrink.
In the South East, almost 1 in 5 (19%) said they have fewer people to talk too about problems such as mental health since the pandemic.
The top reasons cited were being isolated from a support network, worrying about other people’s problems, and not being able to meet to talk face-to-face.
The findings are being released on Time to Talk Day, a nation-wide push to get people talking more openly about mental health.
Time to Talk Day was established eight years ago by Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma campaign, led by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, in recognition of the fact that people talking and sharing their experiences positively changes the attitudes of those around them.
Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, said:
“We know that attitudes towards those of us with mental health problems have improved in recent years and it’s important that we don’t let that slide. The last year has been hard and it’s perhaps made more people realise that we can all struggle with our mental health at times. Let’s take this opportunity to ensure that we all feel comfortable talking about it, too.
“It’s easy to think we haven’t got the power to make a change. But lots of ‘small’ conversations can add up to a big difference in tackling the stigma and discrimination too many people still experience because of their mental health.
"So, this Time to Talk Day, play your part - send a text, reach out, have a conversation.”