UK ‘at risk of becoming burnt-out nation’

The UK is at risk of becoming a "burnt-out nation", a charity has warned, with a "worrying" number of people taking time off work due topoormentalhealthcaused by stress.

Mental Health UK has called on the government to interveneandbettersupport the workforce. It comes after a survey revealed more than a third of adults faced extreme pressure in the workplace in the past year.

The Yougov poll of 2,060 adults - 1,132 of whom were workers - found 35 per cent had experienced high or extreme levels of pressure at work, with 20 per cent requiring time off due to poor mental health caused by stress in the past year.

Chief executive Brian Dow warned the UK is "rapidly becoming a burnt-out nation" with a "worrying number of people" taking time off due to poor mental health caused by stress.

"High levels of work absence due to poor mental healthareamajorchallenge, but its causes are complex," he added.

"Public attitudes and understanding towards mental health and work havechanged,particularlyas the workplace transformed overnight in response to the pandemic.

"Meanwhile, we live in unprecedented times, and lifeoutsideworkhasbecome increasingly difficult due to the cost-of-living crisis and pressuresonpublicservices, whileglobalchallengessuch as climate change and artificial intelligence fuel stress, anxietyandfeelingsofhopelessness."

The survey also found 35 per cent of people were not comfortable voicing concerns about pressure and stress to line managers or company leaders, with 31 per cent saying bullying and intimidation by colleagues had been the cause of their stress in the last year.

Almost half (49 per cent) of workers suggested their employers did not have a plan in place to spot signs of chronic stress.