caba, occupational charity of ICAEW chartered accountancy, conducted a needs analysis in late 2024. The research found that up to 7,000 people per year could benefit from direct support services. However, reaching out to these individuals and encouraging their willingness and ability for help is a major challenge.
A 2024 caba survey found that only 32 percent of people who had experienced burnout sought professional help. The most common reasons for not seeking help were that people did not know where to look for help (19%). They also felt too busy (19%) and worried about the cost (17%). These statistics reveal not only the logistical obstacles, but also psychological and cultural barriers. Asking for help may feel unnatural, shameful, or unjustified to many members of the ICAEW. It is common for people to feel the urge to do things alone, even if it increases the likelihood of them getting worse.
How can we begin to change this mindset? First, we need to identify the barriers that prevent people with severe health problems and hardships from reaching out and challenge the assumptions they are based on.
In the belief that they “should be able” to manage, people often downplay their struggles, or in the case health issues, self-diagnose symptoms. We’ve seen people discover their true difficulties only after a professional assessment. This second opinion can validate the experience of those who seek it and be seen as an active step to get proper care and support before things escalate.
Some people don’t know what help is available. caba worked with recipients who were shocked when they discovered that they could get grants to cover urgent costs like washing machines, ovens, or mobility aids. These interventions can help to ease the pressure of daily life, and give a sense of stability during difficult financial times.
In both cases, there is a common theme: financial and emotional hardships are much harder to overcome alone. We can end the silence about financial stress and emotional well-being by encouraging more open discussions. Individuals who feel less ashamed and more empowered are more likely not only to help themselves, but also to recognize and respond to the hardships of others.
“That’s the reason caba has redefined its strategic vision for 2025 – so that everyone in ICAEW who is experiencing hardships or health challenges will know that help is available and feel confident about accessing it. We provided one-to-1 help to 5,000 people last year. But we want to reach even more with clearer messages and a broader outreach through a variety of communication channels.
We will also launch stigma-reduction campaign to normalise the behaviour of people seeking help and make it feel less intimidating. We encourage colleagues, family and friends to help someone who is in need. We’re trying to make people aware of the importance of peer support.
caba simplifies the process for obtaining support. They are expanding their time-efficient and affordable options, and continue to build partnerships with firms to better serve those who need it.
We can help more ICAEW chartered accounting professionals by fostering a culture that is open, reducing barriers of entry and empowering individuals to take action, for themselves or others.
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