stressed man
© unknown
A new report has revealed that the recession has caused a "stress epidemic" across the UK, with thousands of workers beset by stress and worries from the workplace even on their days off.

Mind, the mental health charity, released figures last weekend that along with existing statistics and estimates paint a bleak picture of the daily experiences of the UK's workforce. Overcoming anxiety and stress appears to be a daily challenge for many, with over a quarter of people saying that they felt dread and apprehension before returning to work.

According to Mind's survey of over 2,050 workers, nearly 20% of workers have phoned in sick because of anxiety and stress caused at work. However, nearly all of these workers would rather lie about the true cause of their problems rather than admit that stress from their levels of work, poor management or personal difficulties with colleagues were causing them poor health.

Earlier figures from the HSE indicate that an estimated eight million people of working age in the UK suffer from mental health problems at any one time. Problems such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems or substance dependencies are rife and account for nearly half of all lost working days each year.

For workers who are stressed or overcome with anxiety, hypnotherapy and other such treatments could provide an effective means of coping with the problems of the workplace. Mind has called upon employers to offer more support and to make sure that "mental illness is no longer the elephant in the room".

Paul Farmer, chief executive of the charity, said "Mental well-being needs to become a corporate priority as our research suggests there are far more people struggling with work pressures than previously suspected."