29 Jan 2026

Mental Health UK report: The Burnout Report

This annual survey of more than 4,500 UK adults finds that 20% of workers took time off sick due to poor mental health caused by stress, the same proportion as the previous year.

Younger workers more likely to experience stress due to issues such as money worries, isolation, and fears around redundancy and job security, and 39% 18-24-year-olds taking time off poor mental health.

Nearly one in three (29%) people say their employer raises awareness of mental health but managers do not have time, training or resources to meaningfully support staff.

Download the full report to find out:

35% workers said they did not feel comfortable discussing high or extreme levels of stress with a manager.
27% workers who took time off due to extreme levels of pressure or stress said they did not receive any support after they had returned to work, and only 17% had a formal return-to-work plan put in place.
27% of workers said mental health is genuinely prioritised and supported through action and resources.