UK hits three million working days lost to mental ill-health in 2026 as Simplyhealth launches £3m charity partnership 

The UK will have lost three million working days to mental ill-health by 19 February 2026, according to analysis based on Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data – prompting Simplyhealth to launch a £3m partnership with three leading mental health charities. 

Simplyhealth has announced a three-year partnership with The Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health First Aid England and Mental Health Innovations, the charity behind the Shout crisis text service. The programme aims to expand proactive mental health support across workplaces and communities, with a focus on awareness, prevention and early intervention. 

Mental ill-health remains a leading cause of workplace absence. The CIPD and Simplyhealth Health and Wellbeing at Work Report 2025 found it is a key driver of both long-term absence (41 per cent) and short-term absence (29 per cent). HSE figures show that 22.1 million working days were lost to mental ill-health in 2024/25. Based on this trend, across the UK an estimated 87,531.78 working days are lost during each working day. It means that, by the 35th working day of 2026 – 19 February – the number of lost working days would have reached 3,057,312 days, passing the three million mark. 

The data underlines the scale of the challenge facing UK employers, with mental health now cited as the greatest health concern among adults in the UK, ahead of cancer and obesity. One in four people experience poor mental health each year. Meanwhile, 64 per cent of HR professionals report stress-related absence in their organisation, yet only 50 per cent believe their efforts to tackle stress are effective. 

Simplyhealth, which supports 2.5 million customers, said the partnership with the three charities builds on its existing mental health provision, including 24/7 mental health support within its health plans. 

In its first year, the programme aims to engage 600 UK businesses and fund 104 virtual Mental Health Aware workshops for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), training 2,600 employees. It also aims to support an additional 60,000 Shout text conversations and recruit 120 new volunteers to strengthen the 24/7 service. 

Paul Schreier, CEO of Simplyhealth, said: “Through our partnerships, we’re using our profits in a meaningful and impactful way to improve access to mental health support for people across the UK. Workplace absence costs the economy billions each year; by offering mental health benefits to employees, businesses can prevent stress-related illness before it escalates. We are proud to be working with these three incredible organisations to drive real change, and support both employers, employees and the wider community. The challenge is significant, but together we can address the mental ill health crisis and help more people get the support they need, when they need it.” 

Mark Rowland, CEO of Mental Health Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be one of Simplyhealth’s charity partners for this ambitious three-year collaboration. The Mental Health Foundation’s vision is good mental health for all, and we are focused on tackling the root causes of poor mental health and preventing problems before they arise. This partnership gives us a powerful opportunity to drive meaningful change by helping more people protect their mental health at an earlier stage. Healthy working lives, in particular, are essential to the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities, and this partnership will help shine a light on the practical steps that can make a real difference. Together, we can empower more people to support their wellbeing and champion better mental health across the UK. We’re excited for what we can achieve together.” 

Sarah McIntosh, CEO at Mental Health First Aid England, said: “Since MHFA England were formed nearly 20 years ago, we have worked with over 20,000 organisations. Physical and mental health are intrinsically linked and with most of us spending a third of our time at work, the workplace is a huge factor in our mental health. The training will improve understanding of mental health and challenge stigma so people can talk more freely about mental health, because everyone should be able to offer and seek support when it is needed. This initiative will ensure that more small organisations can create healthy workplaces where people and business thrive.” 

Victoria Hornby, CEO of Mental Health Innovations, said: “ In the partnership, we will provide crucial, 24/7 mental health support to people across the UK. Alongside the findings from Simplyhealth, our own research found that 78 per cent of people have told us they were unemployed due to their mental health, so providing extra support and tackling workplace wellbeing has never been more important. This partnership will enable us to ensure that no one faces a crisis alone, and that support is available for those who need it.” 

Simplyhealth provides 24/7 mental health support and counselling, health cash plans and a range of pay-as-you-go services, including open-ended therapy, coaching and neurodiversity assessments. No GP referral or pre-approval is needed and pre-existing conditions are covered. As a business with no shareholders, Simplyhealth reinvests profits to improve access to healthcare across the UK. 

SMEs with 250 employees or fewer that have not yet undertaken formal mental health training can apply for a funded place on one of the 104 Mental Health Aware virtual courses delivered by Mental Health First Aid England. 

The partnership positions workplace mental health as both a public health issue and a core business concern, with a clear link to UK workplace health and wellbeing through prevention, early intervention and practical employer support.