Mental health support top of the list for expected employee needs

Research has revealed expected employee needs for the year ahead, with the majority of employers putting mental health at the top of the list.

Nearly a third of employers said they believe there will be a rise in demand for mental health support among their workers.

The Towergate Employee Benefits report shows the areas in which employers predict an increase in demand during 2025:

• Mental health (cited by 31%)
• Financial wellbeing (19%)
• General fitness (18%)
• Male mental health (17%)
• Caring responsibilities (16%)
• Planning for retirement (14%)
• Line managers’ mental wellbeing (14%)
• Dental care (13%)
• Health screening in general (13%)
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP (13%)
• Menopause (13%)

Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Employee Benefits, commented on the findings, “The good news is that there are a growing number of ways in which employers are able to support the mental health needs of employees, from providing access to Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) to inpatient psychiatric care.

“This greater provision has corresponded with increased awareness of the support available and an increased propensity to access it. All of this is hugely positive for the employee, but it does create growing expectations for the employer to provide ever-expanding support.”

Debra added, “Support is becoming not only more diverse but also more specific. For instance, rather than just ‘mental health’, support can be tailored for each gender, or by age-group, and will often include a more holistic approach that looks at lifestyle, nutrition and building resilience too.

“Employees are being pulled in so many different directions, with a need to keep themselves, older relatives and younger dependants healthy and happy. Increasingly, people are now turning to their employer for assistance. Employers cannot and should not be expected to be experts in all these areas. They therefore need support and guidance, just as much as their employees do.”

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