The UK has been named as having the worst mental health in Europe and the third worst in the world.
According to the sixth annual AXA Mind Health Report, more than one in three people are affected by poor mental health.
This includes people potentially affected by depression, anxiety or stress at severe or more extreme levels.
Tara Foley, CEO of AXA UK & Ireland, said: "It’s deeply concerning to see that the UK ranks as having the worst mental health in Europe.
"Our report shows that over a third of the population is impacted by mental health issues, and many people still face barriers to getting the support they need.
"These aren’t just statistics – the numbers represent real lives and real struggles that deserve our attention and compassion."
What did the report find?
The report found that 30% of those experiencing poor mental health said they are potentially affected by depression, anxiety or stress at severe or more extreme levels.
Uncertainty about the future was identified as the biggest issue by half of those surveyed.
The research also highlighted significant barriers to accessing care.
In total, 60% said they had not seen a mental health professional in the past year, and a quarter feared being stigmatised or judged negatively.
This has potentially led to people using technology as a replacement for medical help, with 46% of UK respondents using AI tools for mental health support.
This figure is below the global average of 63%.
Of those using AI, 33% use the technology to self-manage their mental health, and 42% said they trust it more than a mental health professional.
However, experiences with AI support were mixed.
57% found it helpful, while 43% were dissatisfied with the advice they received.
More concerningly, 27% said that some AI recommendations led them to engage in harmful behaviours.
Ms Foley said: "Many people turn to digital tools for help and, while AI can be useful and quick to access, it’s no substitute for the empathy and expertise that healthcare professionals provide.
"That’s why as a health insurer we provide our members with fast access to mental health support and encourage them to access these services as early as needed, to help prevent people feeling worse or reaching crisis point."
Concerns about AI not limited to mental health
A separate OnePoll.com survey of 2,000 UK adults explored attitudes towards AI in the workplace.
One third of respondents expressed concern about the influence of it on their career, with 29% feeling anxious or pessimistic about the use of the tools in the workplace.
These fears are prompting 21% of workers to consider career changes, with preferences leaning towards sectors they see as more "future-proof," such as technology (30%) and healthcare (20%).
Despite these anxieties, more than a quarter of respondents already use AI at work.
27% of respondents said they use AI in their jobs, with 21% using it multiple times a week.
The most common uses include research (51%), administrative tasks (40%), and data analysis and insights generation (36%).
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Ms Foley said: "Our research reveals that people hold different views on AI in the workplace.
"While many employees are embracing these time-saving tools, others are equally worried about the impact it may have on their career.
"AI is transforming the way we work and it’s important for organisations to help their people develop the skills needed to thrive in this changing environment.
"Just as important is making sure that employees’ mental health and wellbeing is protected and looked after so that everyone feels supported, heard and valued during this transition."
Do you find these figures surprising? Let us know in the comments below.
