Older workers experiencing a “silent mental crisis”

According to a recent survey, 32% of workers over 55 have taken sick leave due to poor mental health. Older generations are also suffering from a “silent crisis” in mental health.

Unmind’s research has found that this group is least likely to talk about mental health in the workplace or to seek assistance through the employee assistance program (EAP) of their organization.

Only 14% of older workers were comfortable with being honest. This compares to 31% of those aged 18-24.

For fear of stigmatization, more than half (51%) of older workers avoided discussing mental health issues at work. This compares to just 29% among 18-24 year olds.

Unmind argued that the poll of 2,500 UK workers highlighted the need to rethink mental health support in light of the growing push for older people to return to the workplace.

Only 14% of those aged over 50 cited poor mental health, while 31% of the 18-24s cited it.

Over half (51%) said that they avoid talking about their struggles because of fear of stigma. This compares to less than three out of ten (18-24s) who are afraid of being stigmatized.

Fewer than four out of ten (39%) 55-64 year-olds believe their managers are equipped to support their mental needs. This compares to three out of five (60%) 18-24-year olds.

Unmind’s survey revealed that workers over 55 were least likely to access EAPs. Only 18% of workers aged 55 and over said they used the EAP at their workplace in the last year. This compares to 63% among those aged 18-24.

Workers aged over 50 were less likely than younger workers to find an EAP helpful for managing their mental health. Only 43% of older workers found it useful, while 77% of those aged 19-24 did.

Only 59% employees aged 55-64 rate their EAP positively, compared to more than three quarters (76%) for 25-34 year-olds. Unmind said that this reinforced the idea of a “silent mental crisis” among older workers.

Dr Nick Taylor is the CEO and cofounder of Unmind. He said, “These data paint a clear image: workplace mental healthcare is not one size fits all. Discussions about mental illness and health are still stigmatized for older generations. However, younger generations view these discussions as essential to overall health.

Taylor continued, “With the increasing retirement age and initiatives to bring older workers into employment, business must create an environment that employees of all ages can feel supported. Otherwise they risk exacerbating challenges that older workers are already facing.”

A study in the US found that hormonal health problems cost the US economy $197bn per year due to reduced productivity.

Mira, a company that specializes in hormonal health, conducted a survey on 2,250 US women and found out that almost a quarter had quit their jobs or were considering it because of hormonal issues.

Menopause symptoms, menstrual pain, and hormonal migraines are all examples. Mira said that one third of women have taken sick days because of hormonal symptoms. However, 67% believe they would not be understood if they told their employer the true reason.

Many women did not seek medical assistance despite experiencing symptoms that were disruptive. Over two thirds of women with severe symptoms such as pain or hot flushes, and 91% of those who have skin or hair problems said that they did not seek medical help.

More than a third of respondents (36%) thought their symptoms “weren’t serious enough” for them to need to seek medical attention or support.