Stress-Related Mental Health Issues Causing One in Five Workers to Take Time Off

Data published by charity Mental Health UK has revealed that one in five workers took time off sick as a result of poor mental health caused by stress.

On 2 November 2026, the UK will come together to celebrate National Stress Awareness Week. The theme for this year’s National Stress Awareness Week is ‘shaping the future of stress and wellbeing: rehumanising the workplace’. The week highlights the urgent need for a greater understanding of the signs and impacts of stress – not just for our peers but for ourselves too.

Here we take a look at stress and our relationship with it, including outlining the different types and how we can manage mental health.

Considering the Burnout Report 2026

First published in January, Mental Health UK’s Burnout Report 2026 highlighted that high stress levels have pushed workers into sick leave. Just one in four feel that mental health is treated as a priority, and that they are supported in the workplace.

The report showed that 20% of those polled took time off work due to poor mental health caused by stress. This figure increased to 39% among workers aged between 18 and 24. According to the findings, young adults are more likely to experience stress due to money worries, isolation and job security fears.

A gap emerges on what businesses say and do regarding mental health: 29% of employees said that whilst their employer raises awareness of mental health, managers do not have the time or training to support staff in a meaningful way.

Defining Stress

Stress can be defined as a state of mental or emotional strain caused by difficult or demanding circumstances. It often can be categorised as either acute stress or chronic stress – both of which affect our daily lives.

Common Causes of Stress and Ways to Tackle It

Ongoing or excessive stress can affect mental wellbeing, physical health, relationships and work performance.

Work-related stress is often attributed to:

• heavy workloads and tight deadlines
• long working hours
• lack of control over work
• job insecurity or organisational change
• difficult relationships with colleagues or managers
• constant emails, messages and notifications.

Stress can be caused by issues not associated with work, such as financial pressures, personal and family worries and health concerns.

Identifying the main causes of stress allows those affected to combat it. Key ways to tackle workplace stress include:

• identifying stress triggers by recognising which tasks, situations or relationships are causing pressure
• prioritising and planning work by breaking large tasks into manageable steps and focusing on the most important activities first
• managing workloads and expectations by discussing priorities, deadlines and capacity with managers when these become unrealistic
• taking regular breaks throughout the day to maintain concentration and prevent mental fatigue
• setting healthy boundaries between work and personal life, including limiting out-of-hours emails and protecting time to rest
• developing healthy habits such as regular exercise, sufficient sleep, healthy eating and staying hydrated, all of which help to improve resilience to stress
• using stress-management techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing or short relaxation exercises to reduce immediate feelings of pressure
• seeking support from others, whether through colleagues, managers, friends, family or professional support services such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
• focusing on what you can control rather than spending excessive energy on factors outside your influence.

Rehumanising the Workplace

Business leaders can look to rehumanise their workplace by creating a culture and environment that ensure people are prioritised alongside wellbeing and purpose.

Consider implementing wellbeing initiatives and flexible working arrangements to help support employees with their mental health. Create opportunities for collaboration amongst staff, promote empathy and champion compassionate leadership.

Manage Workplace Stress with Astutis’ Learning Courses and Tools

Mental health in the workplace is more critical than ever. In a world where employees face unprecedented stressors and demands, ensuring their wellbeing has become a collective responsibility.

Our online stress management course and our first aid and mental health training courses are designed to support safer and healthier workplaces. These practical and engaging courses equip professionals with the knowledge and confidence to respond to emergencies, support wellbeing and promote a positive workplace culture across every level of an organisation.

Want to find the right training for your people? Get in touch with our team and we’ll talk you through your options.