Teaching has been identified as the UK’s most damaging occupation for mental health, according to a new survey. It found that 59% of teachers reported experiencing mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and depression.
The study, which gathered responses from over 10,000 people across 850 occupations, places teaching at the top of a list of 12 professions most likely to cause mental health problems, highlighting the immense pressures faced by those in the sector.
Widespread Impact Across the Workforce
The survey, by insurance firm Eleos, revealed that nearly half of all respondents (46%) reported having mental health issues. While teachers were the most affected, administrators and hospitality workers tied for the top spot with the same 59% reporting mental health struggles. Retail workers followed closely at 57%, with care workers (49%) and nurses (42%) also featuring prominently.
The findings underscore the increasing toll work is taking on mental wellbeing. Official figures for 2024 show that 16.4 million workdays were lost due to stress, anxiety, and depression, with the average absence lasting over three weeks.
Teachers Leaving the Profession
For teachers, stress and burnout remain key drivers of mental health issues. According to the National Education Union, 40,000 teachers leave the profession annually — around 10% of the workforce. The primary causes include excessive workloads, inadequate support and deteriorating working conditions.
A 2023 report by the Education Policy Institute found that 22% of teachers work over 60 hours per week, significantly above the UK average. The strain has far-reaching implications, not only for teachers but also for the education system and the wellbeing of students.
While office-based jobs may seem less physically demanding, they are far from stress-free. The survey found that administrators and financial professionals, such as accountants, experience high levels of anxiety due to deadlines and performance pressures.
The hospitality and retail sectors, which account for a significant portion of the UK workforce, also showed high rates of mental health issues. Low pay, long hours and demanding customer interactions were identified as key stressors. A recent study by the Retail Trust found that over 80% of retail workers reported experiencing stress at work, with many citing money worries as a major factor.
Healthcare Workers Struggle With Burnout
Caring professions, including nurses and care workers, continue to face significant challenges. With nearly half of care workers (49%) and over two in five nurses (42%) reporting mental health struggles, staff shortages and intense workloads are exacerbating the problem, the Eleos study suggests.
The Royal College of Nursing has highlighted that only a third of hospital shifts meet safe staffing levels, putting immense pressure on healthcare professionals. Similarly, social workers face growing demands, with the Department for Education recently categorising the risk of shortages in children’s social care as critical.
The study also revealed mental health issues in professions not traditionally associated with stress. Among tradespeople, such as plumbers and electricians, 36% reported struggles with mental health. Financial instability and unpredictable workloads were cited as key contributors.
Drivers, who make up a significant portion of the workforce, also featured in the top 12, with 35% reporting mental health issues. Long hours, tight schedules and navigating congested roads were found to be major stressors.
A Broader Cultural Shift
Eleos’s research points to a growing need to address mental health in the workplace. Mental health is now a leading cause of sick leave for people under 45. While campaigns by organisations like Mind have helped reduce stigma, the survey suggests that more needs to be done to create supportive work environments.
Experts say workplace interventions, such as mental health training, access to counselling and flexible working arrangements, could play a significant role in reducing stress and burnout. Employers are also encouraged to conduct regular surveys to identify the specific needs of their workforce and provide targeted support.
