Claims.co.uk analyzed data from the Health and Safety Executive to determine the prevalence of stress, depression or anxiety that is caused or made worse by work.
The study found that the most common mental health problems among police officers are those with a rank below sergeant. According to the study, 6.5 percent or 11,000 police officers out of 169.231 report that their job negatively impacts their mental health. This is 242 percent more than the average national rate of 6,500 cases for every 100,000 police officers.
Social Workers Ranked Second
Social workers closely follow, with 6.1 percent of the profession–approximately 7,000 out of 114,754–experiencing mental health issues linked to their jobs. This is equivalent to a rate 6,100 per 100 workers, which 221 percent higher than the national average.
Other High Stress Professions
The report also highlights the welfare and housing professionals with a 206 per cent increase in mental health problems at work compared to the national average. On the list are also prominently featured community nurses, other nursing professions, and teachers at both primary level and secondary level.
- Associate professionals in welfare and housing: 5.81 per cent affected, representing approximately 8,000 workers.
- Community Nurses: 4,7 percent of workers affected.
- Other Nursing Professionals: 16,000 workers, 4.2 percent.
- Higher Education Teaching Professionals: 4,14 percent, or 9,000 employees.
- Primary school teachers and secondary school educators are affected to a degree of approximately 3.86 and 3.39 respectively.
The mental health of these roles is significantly higher than the national average. This is due to their high levels of responsibility, duties that are public and long working hours.
Human Resources and Government employees also affected
Mental health issues are not confined to government workers and human resource managers. Around 3.3 percent (HR managers) and 3.27 percent (government employees) of these workers report mental health problems, which is 74 and 72 percent higher than the national average.
Nationwide Impact
In the UK, nearly two out of fifty (1.9 %)–an estimate 636,000 workers) report that their job has either caused or exacerbated their mental issues. This is equivalent to 1,900 cases for every 100,000 residents.
Bookkeepers, wage clerks, and payroll managers were the least stressful occupations. Only 1,120 workers per 100,000 reported mental health issues, which is 41 percent less than the national average.
Claims.co.uk spokesperson noted that “the findings brought to light the job roles in the UK which adversely affect the mental wellbeing of employees.” The high demands of police officers, social workers and housing and welfare professionals, as well as their public-facing roles, make them particularly vulnerable.
The spokesperson suggested that to mitigate these problems, employees should be encouraged to communicate openly, offer flexible work arrangements and promote mental health resources.
