To mark World Mental Health Day today (10 October), HSE is urging employers to move beyond awareness and take practical steps to prevent work-related stress.

In 2023/24 around half of all work-related ill health in Great Britain was due to stress, depression or anxiety, with affected workers taking 20 days off on average. The cost to businesses is clear: more absence, lower productivity, and higher turnover.  

Start doing 

Kayleigh Roberts, HSE’s work-related stress policy lead, said: “We’re asking employers to keep talking – but start doing. Even small changes, like reviewing workloads or improving communication, can make a big difference. The organisations that thrive are those that tackle the root causes of stress early.”  

Support that works 

HSE’s Working Minds campaign helps employers prevent stress by focusing on 6 key areas: demands, control, support, relationships, role clarity, and change. Its 5 steps provide a clear framework for action:

• Reach out
• Recognise
• Respond
• Reflect
• make it Routine

Over 18,000 leaders have already accessed HSE’s free tools and training.  

Make one change today 

Start with one of these simple steps: