Earlier mental health support around major life events could recover 108 million working days 

Supporting employees’ mental health before and during major life events could unlock billions in economic value, while significantly reducing sickness absence. 

According to a study by Bupa and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), major life events and changes in personal circumstances – such as becoming a parent, caring for a relative, bereavement, divorce and marriage – can have a significant impact on people’s wellbeing and their ability to balance work and home life. The research estimates that these periods of transition could contribute up to 1.7 billion working days lost to absenteeism each year, with wider economic implications amounting to $636 billion globally. Economic modelling suggests that providing earlier mental health support during these important moments could help recover 108 million working days annually and deliver $42 billion in economic benefits. 

Based on a survey of 13,000 employees across the UK, Australia, Spain and the US, the research found people who took proactive steps to support their mental health, such as speaking to friends and family, accessing professional support or consulting a healthcare provider, took an average of five fewer days off work than those who did not. 

Seven in 10 respondents also said they wished they had sought support sooner before or during a major life event. 

The findings suggest employers have an opportunity to shift from reacting to mental health challenges after they emerge to helping employees prepare for predictable life transitions before they begin affecting wellbeing and performance. 

Professor Melvin Samsom, Chief Medical Officer at Bupa, said: 

“People invest time preparing financially and practically for life’s biggest moments, yet many of us give far less attention to our mental health. What stands out in this research is how many people wish they had sought support earlier. Whether becoming a parent, caring for a loved one, or coping with loss, our mental wellbeing shapes how we experience those moments. 

“At Bupa, we believe more needs to be done to help people take a proactive approach to their mental wellbeing, and recognise when they may need support sooner, helping make it easier for people to access that support and navigate life’s biggest moments with greater confidence and resilience.” 

While major life events are often viewed as personal experiences, the report highlights their significant workplace impact. More than half (54 per cent) of respondents reported difficulty concentrating at work during major life events, while 70 per cent experienced emotional overwhelm and 53 per cent said they felt less confident, all of which contribute to presenteeism as well as sickness absence. 

Among the five life events studied, returning to work after becoming a parent showed the greatest potential benefit from earlier intervention. Employees who proactively supported their mental health during this transition took an average of 6.5 fewer days off work than those who did not. The research estimates this life event alone contributes to around 350 million lost working days globally each year. 

Bereavement was identified as the single largest contributor to lost productivity, accounting for an estimated 783 million working days and $279 billion in lost economic output annually. 

Liam Daly, Senior Economist at Cebr, said the findings demonstrate the wider economic value of preventative mental health support. 

“Life’s biggest moments, the joyful ones and the difficult ones alike, rarely stay confined to our personal lives,” Daly said. “They follow us into work too, often in ways that are easy to underestimate. 

“Together, the findings offer a clearer picture of just how much major life events can affect people and their ability to focus at work, and how much of the resulting personal and economic impact could be reduced if people had the chance to prepare for them.” 

The report concludes that employers can play a key role by encouraging earlier conversations about mental wellbeing, improving awareness of available support and creating workplace cultures where employees feel comfortable seeking help before challenges escalate. 

The findings reinforce the growing shift towards preventative approaches to mental wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on responding to illness, the research suggests organisations could improve both employee outcomes and business performance by recognising major life events as predictable moments where earlier intervention can help maintain wellbeing, reduce absence and support workforce productivity.