New Year Leeds HR Mental Health

James Priestley
Dec 30, 2025
3 min read

The New Year is often described as a fresh start. New goals. New routines. New expectations.

But for many people, especially after the busy Christmas period, January can feel anything but positive. Returning to work can bring pressure, stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Instead of feeling motivated, many employees feel overwhelmed, and this can quietly affect confidence, focus, and wellbeing.

For HR teams across Leeds, this is a time when support truly matters.

Why the New Year Can Feel Difficult at Work

January often brings a mix of personal and professional challenges that can impact mental health at work:

Financial worries after Christmas Heavier workloads and rising expectations Pressure to perform straight away Low mood linked to winter and darker days Anxiety around targets and job security Burnout that has carried over from the previous year

The UK Health and Safety Executive highlights that stress, depression, and anxiety related to work continue to be a major cause of working days lost across the UK👉 HSE work related stress statistics

For HR professionals, this can show up as increased absence, lower morale, and staff who feel disconnected or drained.

When New Year Motivation Turns Into Pressure

Setting goals can be helpful, but when expectations are unrealistic, they can do more harm than good.

Many employees feel they should start the year at full speed. They may hide how they are feeling, push through stress, or avoid asking for help because they worry about judgement.

The Office for National Statistics shows that anxiety and low wellbeing are becoming more common among working age adults👉 ONS wellbeing and mental health data

Mental health does not reset on the first of January, and people should not be expected to either.

Why Early Mental Health Support Makes a Difference

When support is available early, small struggles are less likely to grow into long term problems.

The NHS explains that early support plays an important role in managing anxiety, stress, and depression👉 NHS mental health support

For employers and HR teams, this can lead to:

Fewer absences linked to mental health Better staff retention Stronger engagement and trust A healthier and more open workplace culture Lower long term HR costs

The UK government also encourages organisations to make mental health part of everyday working life👉 Thriving at Work guidance

How VÕS HELP Supports Employees and HR Teams

VÕS HELP is designed to support people during the moments they need it most.

Through the VÕS HELP HR support app, employees can speak to real time counsellors whenever they are struggling. There are no waiting lists and no need to schedule appointments. Support is simply there when it is needed.

This helps organisations support:

Employee mental health Workplace wellbeing strategies HR duty of care Mental health support at work

The UK government recognises how important workplaces are in protecting mental wellbeing👉 Workplace health and wellbeing guidance

VÕS HELP allows HR teams to offer meaningful support that feels human, not clinical.

A Kinder Way to Start the Year

The New Year does not have to be about pressure or perfection.

For employees, it can be about feeling supported, being listened to, and taking things one step at a time. For HR teams, it is about creating safe and supportive workplaces where people feel comfortable asking for help.

When mental health is treated with care and understanding, people do more than cope. They grow.