Nuffield Health’s annual Healthier Nation Index survey has shown that media and marketing workers’ mental health has been most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, while the North East is the worst-hit area of mainland UK.
The study revealed that 38.24 percent of full-time workers and 42.69 percent of part-time workers feel their financial health is worse compared to previous years. 62.56 percent of full-time and 60.81 percent of part-time employees also confessed that the cost of living or a change in personal finances has negatively impacted their mental and physical health in the past 12 months.
According to Mind, the inability to afford day-to-day necessities like food, fuel, and housing costs can lead to mental health problems.
Women were found to be more likely to have worse financial health, with 64.38 percent of female respondents agreeing that the cost of living has had an impact on their mental health compared to 53.40 percent of men.
However, according to responses from male workers, feelings about the cost of living and its impact on mental health haven’t improved in the last year for them either. In 2023’s survey, 50.65 percent of male respondents agreed that cost of living had an impact on their mental wellbeing, but this year this has increased to 53.4 percent.
Unsurprisingly, salary was also a cause of financial concerns, as the lower the salary, the higher the percentage of worse net financial health. 66.17 percent of those earning less than £15,000 were impacted, followed by those earning between £15,001 and £25,000, with 64.16 percent feeling concerned.
The North East was the worst affected area on the UK mainland, with 62.58 percent feeling affected. Only Northern Ireland fared worse.
Meanwhile, the industries with the most employees most affected by the cost of living were Sales, Media and Marketing, with 75.76 percent of surveyed employees agreeing that the cost of living has negatively impacted mental health.
Nuffield Health’s study highlights the need for managers to rethink how companies are structured and the benefits they offer their employees.
Gosia Bowling, national lead for emotional wellbeing at Nuffield Health, highlighted four key areas in which managers can help improver the mental health of staff: Pay Equality; equal opportunities for promotion; a transparent workplace culture, and access to support.
You can see the full findings of Nuffield Health’s latest Healthier Nation Index here.
