“No industry is immune” – Expert warns against underestimating mental health risks in the workplace
As record‑high levels of poor mental health persist across the UK, one in five people in the UK have a common mental health condition, a leading expert warns against dismissing any profession as ‘low risk’.
Nathan Shearman, psychotherapist and director of therapy and training at workplace mental health specialists Red Umbrella, emphasises:
“The honest answer is that any industry can be susceptible to mental health risks, no industry is immune.
“When we try to rank professions as lower or higher risk, it's important to recognise that even low risk is still concerning, because the impacts of poor mental health are so severe.”
According to Shearman, many of the risk factors for poor mental health lurk unseen and go far beyond headline stress roles.
“We’re great at managing high levels of stress over short bursts, but if a job involves sustained high pressure, tight deadlines, and critical outcomes, that stress becomes harmful over time.”
He also highlights the toll of less obvious but equally damaging conditions:
“Think about a job on a production line. It may not be high stress, but it's rigid, repetitive, and offers little to no autonomy. Over time, that lack of flexibility can lead to low mood and depression. As humans, we need variety and meaning – not to function like machines.”
Another overlooked but common risk is constant organisational change:
“We’re creatures of habit, and when change becomes relentless - new systems, new goals, frequent restructures - it chips away at our sense of safety. That uncertainty can quickly turn into stress, anxiety, and burnout.”
A burnout report by Mental Health UK found that 91% of adults in the UK said that they experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the past year
But Shearman is optimistic about what can be done, especially in the workplace.
“Awareness of these risk factors, regular check‑ins, and effective support can make a real difference. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Having trained Mental Health First Aiders, access to counselling for employees and open communication channels can transform the working environment.”
With rising demand for mental health care and long NHS wait times - recent figures from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that four in ten (40%) of people were waiting too long to receive mental health care, and 42% of people said their mental health deteriorated whilst waiting for care (increasing to 71% for those waiting over six months), Shearman believes employers have a powerful role to play:
“Supporting staff’s mental health isn’t just good ethics - it's good business. Poor well-being affects performance, retention, and culture. Employers need to act before the fallout hits.”