New research from the Mental Health Foundation, published in September 2026, confirms what many employers are already seeing on the ground: the mental health of the UK workforce is declining, and the gap between those who are supported and those who are struggling is getting wider.

The headline figures are stark. One in five workers, around 7.2 million people, is now facing poor mental health, a number that has grown by 2.9 million since 2009. Just as significantly, one in six workers say their job itself is contributing to their poor mental health, a reminder that good quality work is one of the most powerful tools employers have for preventing it in the first place.

The report also points to widening inequalities. Financial hardship among workers has roughly doubled over the past decade, and the impact on wellbeing is clear. Younger workers aged 16 to 24 are seeing their wellbeing decline fastest, shaped by shrinking entry-level opportunities, rising job insecurity and cost-of-living pressures. People with a disability or long-term health condition continue to face structural barriers, from inaccessible roles to stigma and discrimination, and working lone parents are especially exposed, with one in four facing financial hardship.

Why this is an occupational health issue

These findings sit squarely within the remit of occupational health. Employers can't control the wider economic picture, but they can control how well-supported their workforce feels day to day, and that starts with having the right structures in place before problems escalate.

At TAC Healthcare, this is the thinking behind our employee wellbeing services. Mental Health Services and Health Promotion & Engagement support are built into our offering precisely because prevention and early intervention make a measurable difference to how people cope with pressure at work. Our Mental Health First Aid training equips managers and colleagues to recognise the signs of struggle early and respond with confidence, rather than waiting for a crisis point. And through Private GP Services (PGPS), employees can access confidential clinical support quickly, without the wait times that so often stand between someone and the help they need.

For employers thinking about how the Mental Health Foundation's findings apply to their own workforce, that's usually the right place to start: honest conversations about workload and job quality, visible and accessible support, and a workplace culture where raising a concern doesn't feel like a risk.

Read the full report from the Mental Health Foundation here: Employment and mental health inequality, September 2026

To talk through how TAC Healthcare's occupational health and wellbeing services could support your workforce, get in touch with our team or email businessdevelopment@tachealthcare.com.