Reluctance to talk about mental health at work doesn’t mean a reluctance to access mental health support

As Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 focuses on “taking action”, new research from Aviva highlights that despite an ongoing hesitancy to talk about mental health in the workplace, employees are actively seeking support from workplace benefits.

The research, based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults, shows that encouragingly, most people recognise the benefits of sharing their concerns, with 74% saying they would talk to someone if they were struggling with their mental health. However, of these, just 5% said they would speak to their employer about their mental health, which is consistent with Aviva’s previous 2024 research. A third (33%) say they never discuss mental health at work.

More than a third (36%) of respondents said they have taken time off work due to mental health, yet almost one in five (18%) did not disclose the true reason for their absence. Among those who did speak to their employer, around two thirds (64%) said the conversation was helpful.

Despite this reluctance to speak openly at work, engagement with employer‑provided wellbeing support continues to be strong, highlighting the important role this confidential support plays in enabling access to care.

In 2025, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services available to Aviva’s group protection customers were accessed more than 33,000 times. In addition, 23,000 mental health consultations were booked via the Aviva DigiCare+ and Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace apps, while Aviva’s mental health toolkit content was accessed 12,887 times – demonstrating strong engagement with both clinical and preventative support.²

Similarly, significant numbers of employees are accessing the mental health pathway through Aviva’s group private healthcare schemes, reflecting continued demand for accessible support.

In 2025, over 12,600 people accessed support from Aviva’s mental health pathway, including 795 children and young people. ³

Dr Larissa Stevenson, Associate Medical Director, Aviva UK Health said:

“While many employees may feel reluctant to talk openly about their mental health at work, it’s clear they are still actively seeking support.

“Employer‑provided wellbeing benefits are playing a vital role in bridging that gap, offering accessible and confidential routes to help.

“Services such as EAPs, digital consultations and preventative wellbeing tools are helping employees access support earlier, often before issues escalate. This not only helps improve outcomes for individuals but also helps employers build healthier and more resilient workforces.

“By taking a more holistic approach to wellbeing, employers can ensure support is available in ways that reflect how people actually seek help even when they may not feel ready to speak up directly.”