Healthcare trust provider Healix Health has revealed that mental health-related support queries rose by 10% in the weeks following Mental Health Awareness Week in May 2023 and May 2024, a clear signal that campaigns such as these drive engagement. 

Healix is urging employers not to let the momentum fade, warning that consistent year-round support is vital.

The data, which is based on thousands of employee interactions with Mind Right, a wellbeing and digital triage platform used by Healix’s member companies, shows a temporary spike in help-seeking behaviours, with increased enquiries relating to stress, burnout, and access to counselling. But by June, levels returned to their baseline.

It also found a 30% increase in enquiries on ‘Blue Monday’ for the last two years, compared with other days in January.

Ian Talbot, CEO of Healix Health, said: “Our data shows that campaigns like Mental Health Awareness Week and Blue Monday are having a potential positive impact in terms of encouraging employees to feel empowered to ask for help.

“But we also see a recurring pattern: after a short surge in interest, things taper off. Mental health isn’t seasonal. It’s vital employers match short-term awareness with long-term action.”

The news comes as the UK’s Health and Safety Executive has found that stress, depression and anxiety accounted for most days lost due to work-related ill health in 2023/24, with 16.4 million days lost. Mental Health UK’s Burnout Report also found that nine in 10 people experienced high or extreme levels of stress in the last year. 

Talbot continued: “To ensure people have consistent access to mental health support, businesses must ensure they embed mental health into everyday operations, through measures such as manager training, regular internal campaigns, and year-round access to 24/7 mental health services.

“A joined-up strategy allows companies to prevent issues, intervene early, and support recovery in ways that benefit both the employee and the organisation.”

New research from Cigna Healthcare reveals that nearly half of globally mobile professionals experience loneliness and face significant wellbeing challenges.