Employees who are able to split their working time between home and a formal workplace are 40% less likely to experience mental health difficulties, new research has shown.
Youth mental health charity stem4 surveyed 1038 working parents and carers across the UK to mark Parent Mental Health Day (27th January). It found that four in ten overall (39%) were experiencing mental health problems – most commonly stress (62%), depression (54%) and anxiety (50%).
When asked what had negatively impacted their mental health during the pandemic, 29% identified work pressures – more than the number who cited factors such as relationship difficulties (15%). One in five (20%) said not being able to work had affected their mental wellbeing.
Four in ten (40%) people working from home, and the same number of those working outside their home, were experiencing mental health difficulties. However, those whose working pattern combined time at home with time at a formal workplace were significantly less likely to experience problems with their mental health (29%). Only one in five (19%) working parents say their employer currently allows hybrid working. Six in ten (57%) work solely from home, and one in four (23%) in a formal workplace (23%).
Dr. Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and founder of stem4, said: “One of the few positive outcomes of the pandemic is that it’s provided a unique opportunity to test how we can all work differently, and rethink working structures that create value, whether that’s a reduced commute for employees or increased productivity for the employer. However, what this survey confirms is that as workers re-emerge from the pandemic they are not rested. As a consequence of two years of uncertainty, the blurring of the boundaries between home and work-life, less flexibility to relax in their usual ways such as going on holiday or seeing friends, means people are presenting with exhaustion and poorer mental health. With one in four working parents now experiencing mental health difficulties, the pandemic has left people feeling overwhelmed, unable to cope, and lacking balance in their life, Hybrid working may afford employees the time they need to recover.”
The survey also explored the levels of support workers felt that they were receiving. Almost half (49%) said their employer had supported their mental health and wellbeing somewhat during the pandemic, with 23% saying they had received a lot of support. However, 28% said their employers had not supported their mental health at all.
People working in journalism or the media were the most likely to say their employer had supported their mental health and wellbeing a lot (68%). This was in stark contrast with healthcare (15%), social care (11%) and creative arts (10%). Workers in the leisure and tourism industries were the most likely to say that their employer had not supported their mental health at all (87%).
Dr. Krause said: “Our survey shows that work can be a significant cause of stress, but also a valuable source of support. It’s hugely welcome that so many workers say they’ve had some kind of help from their employers. However, it’s a matter of concern that this varies so widely, and also that people working in the caring professions are among the least likely to feel supported themselves.”
The survey was carried out ahead of Parent Mental Health Day (27th January) a new annual campaign from stem4. The theme of this year’s campaign is balance and how to #TiptheBalance to positive.
What has negatively impacted parents’ mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic
1. Effect of lockdowns, e.g., home schooling, loss of income (45%)
2. Fear of a family member becoming ill (36%)
3. Fear they (the parent) would become ill (33%)
4. Work pressures (29%)
5. Financial worries (28%)
6. Effect of not being able to work (20%)
7. Loneliness (19%)
8. No time for their own mental health (18%)
9. Family relationship difficulties (15%)
10.Putting family first (14%)
What would improve parents’ mental health and wellbeing going forward
1. Increase monthly income to pay essential bills (36%)
2. A guarantee that schools will remain open over the next year (32%)
3. Better work-life balance (28%)
4. More time to look after their own mental health (26%)
5. Better access to health services generally: GP, mental health services, and hospital appointments (25%)
6. Free/affordable childcare (23%)
7. Equal distribution of unpaid chores in the home (21%)
8. Better home living conditions (19%)
9. Access to more paid work (17%)
10.Better access to children’s mental health services (17%)
