The Mental Health Foundation for World Mental Health Day undertook some research and the results found are worrying
While lots of people are raising awareness to World Mental Health Day, it's come to light that millions of British workers would avoid discussing mental health issues with colleagues amid fears they could jeopardise their career.
The shocking report was discovered by the Mental Health Foundation for World Mental Health Day who carried out research to see how 2,000 employees feel about discussing mental health at work.
From the survey, one in three workers said they wouldn’t dare discuss mental health with a senior staff member because they'd feel fearful of being marginalised or potentially losing their job.
WATCH: Would you discuss a mental health problem with your boss? Here's what some employees have said...
The worrying statistics also found that over a third of the employees admitted they wouldn't feel safe opening up about their mental health at work.
While 50% of participants who took a day off for mental health reasons would lie and pretend it was for a physical health excuse, instead of discussing the problem with their colleagues or manager.
The survey also shed light on the reasons why employees would be reluctant to discuss mental health in the work place, with one in five employees admitting they've witnessed phrases linked to mental health being used in a derogatory way.
Meanwhile 11 per cent confessed that they have been victims of abuse at work as a direct result of a mental health issue.
Young adults, between the ages of 18 and 24, are the age group that worry the most about being discriminated against at work because of their mental health. On the contrary, 27 per cent of employees between the age of 25 and 34 believe that their mental health is none of the boss’s business.
Finally, two thirds of employees want to see additional mental health days added to annual leave for employees to use so they can prioritise their wellbeing before problems begin.
Jenny Edwards CBE, Chief Executive at the Mental Health Foundation, has said: "Despite growing awareness, there are sadly still too many people who don’t feel safe talking about their mental health at work.
"We are asking people to talk about mental health, but this must be matched with an ability to listen compassionately and act appropriately.
"We still hear examples of mental ill-health being used as a form of casual insult. This creates a culture where people don’t feel able to talk about their mental health at work or reach out for support when they need it."
The Mental Health Foundation have published a guide and are calling on people to use it to make their workplaces more 'mentally friendly'.
Would you feel comfortable discussing mental health at work with your colleagues or boss? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
READ MORE
WATCH: Campaign video launched to raise awareness of mental health during pregnancy