Mental health-related absences among Britain’s youngest workers are rising sharply, signaling an urgent need for employers to prioritize employee wellbeing. Fresh research from Unmind, a workplace mental health solutions provider, reveals that 30% of Generation Z workers in the UK—approximately 1.7 million young people—have taken mental health leave this year alone.

This concerning trend comes amid government initiatives urging younger individuals to join the workforce earlier, highlighting a disconnect between policy aspirations and the challenges faced by many new employees. According to the Office for National Statistics, the economic inactivity rate among 16-24-year-olds has increased from 39% in 2019 to 41.2% in 2024. As a result, employers are under growing pressure to address mental health concerns to prevent productivity losses and workforce instability.

Mental Health Struggles Across the Workforce

The issue extends beyond younger employees. This year, 16% of the UK’s workforce—equivalent to 5.3 million people—have taken time off due to mental health challenges. Alarmingly, 80% of these individuals believe their workplace contributed to their declining wellbeing. Many reported insufficient support upon returning, with nearly 20% feeling penalized for their absence and another 20% stating that their requests for accommodations were ignored.

Barriers to Seeking Support

A significant gap persists between the mental health needs of employees and the support offered by employers. Nearly one in five workers feel uncomfortable requesting mental health-related leave, with women (26%) and those over 55 (27%) being the least likely to seek help. Awareness of available resources, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), is also low, with only 41% of respondents aware of their company’s offerings. Encouragingly, among those who knew about EAPs, Generation Z emerged as the most proactive in seeking help, with nearly two-thirds utilizing these resources.

The Demand for Innovative Solutions

Employees are increasingly calling for more flexible and innovative approaches to mental health support. Over a third identified flexible working arrangements as a top priority, aligning with separate research suggesting that flexibility can boost wellbeing and improve productivity by up to 4%. Younger workers are also open to technology-driven solutions, with nearly half of those under 35 expressing trust in AI-driven mental health advice.

A Call for Action

Dr. Nick Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Unmind, emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in workplace mental health strategies:
“The research clearly highlights the need for employers to step up and help their staff thrive—especially younger employees, who are disproportionately affected by mental health absences. Organisations must move beyond traditional approaches and embrace flexibility, innovation, and open dialogue to foster positive workplace cultures.

“It’s time for employers to adopt a holistic approach that nurtures mental health. At Unmind, we are committed to driving this transformation, working towards a future where wellbeing is universally understood, supported, and celebrated.”

As the mental health crisis continues to impact workers across age groups, fostering inclusive and proactive workplace cultures has never been more crucial. Employers who prioritize mental health stand to create more resilient, engaged, and productive teams.