New annual statistics released in November 2024 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have revealed an 11 per cent decrease in employees suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2023-24.
It’s reported three-quarters of a million workers (776,000) suffered from poor mental health (new or long-standing) in the last 12 months. This is down by 100,000 employees from the previous year (875,000), suggesting an increased awareness and willingness by UK employers and employees to recognise and address poor mental health within workforces. New cases of stress, depression or anxiety made up 40 per cent of workers, matching figures from 2022-23.
While the trends are encouraging, levels of workers’ suffering are still significantly higher than in pre-pandemic years. The report estimates that16.4 million working days were lost over the year due to employees being absent with various mental health conditions. The new statistics highlight the value of mental health at work training and an urgency for a proactive and preventative approach to be taken.
Evident from the HSE report is the importance of treating mental health in the workplace as you would any other first aid requirement within your organisation, and planning the training you require accordingly. Whilst 75 per cent of organisations currently offer mental health support, research from Benendon Health showed only a third of UK workers are aware of workplace support in place. The numbers support guidance introduced by the HSE earlier this year, which encourages organisations to include mental health considerations within their first aid needs assessments, to identify additional training requirements.
Fatal injuries have risen in the last 12 months
The annual HSE report also confirmed that 138 people were fatally injured in work-related accidents during the year, an increase from 135 fatalities in 2022-23. Furthermore, over half a million (604,000) employees sustained a workplace non-fatal injury, according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey.
Accommodation and food service activities; construction; transportation and storage; and wholesale and retail trade (including motor vehicle repair) had significantly higher workplace non-fatal injury rates compared to the average rate across all industries.
While the estimated rate of self-reported workplace injuries has remained consistently lower over the last decade compared with the early 2000s, 21% of injuries in 2023-24 required more than seven days’ absence. Workers collectively lost 4.1 million working days for self-reported incidents, reinforcing HSE regulations that first aid provision is vital to ensure injuries are treated promptly and effectively, thus reducing the burden on emergency services and improving recovery rates.
Why workplace training is crucial to keep your workforce safe
While training first aiders does not directly prevent accidents, illness or injury, evidence has shown that it fosters a culture which encourages all employees to work more safely. Training a workforce in appropriate first aid and mental health gives staff the skills and confidence to act before professional help intervenes, helping to save lives.
British Red Cross Training offers a wide range of mental health at work, health and safety and first aid at work courses to help prevent workplace accidents from occurring and build the skillset to help in those crucial moments when emergency strikes, whatever your organisation’s requirements. Our first aid at work courses now include a short online Mental health for first aiders course which is free for all learners.