The Real Data Behind EAP Mental Health
- James Priestley
- Dec 18
- 3 min read
The Workplace Data HR Teams Cannot Ignore
Mental health support is now a core part of workforce strategy, not a wellbeing add-on. In Leeds and across the UK, the data shows a growing gap between mental health provision and actual employee use.
While most organisations offer an Employee Assistance Programme, the statistics suggest that traditional EAP models are failing to reach the majority of employees who need support.
Work-Related Stress by the Numbers
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
49% of all work-related ill health cases in the UK are caused by stress, depression or anxiety
This equates to over 17 million working days lost in a single year
Stress remains the leading cause of long-term sickness absence
For large employment hubs like Leeds, these figures represent a significant productivity and retention challenge.
How Effective Are Traditional EAPs?
Despite widespread access to EAP services, employee engagement remains
consistently low.
Multiple industry reviews show:
Average EAP utilisation sits between 5% and 10%
This means 90 - 95% of employees never access their EAP
Even during periods of high stress, usage rarely exceeds 12%
In practical terms, most employers are investing in mental health support that only reaches a small fraction of their workforce.
For HR teams, this creates a clear return-on-investment problem.
Mental Health and Sickness Absence
UK Government labour market statistics show:
Mental health is one of the top three causes of long-term sickness absence
Stress-related absence lasts longer on average than physical illness
Around 2.6% of all working days are lost to sickness absence annually, with mental health a major contributor
Source:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sickness-absence-in-the-uk-labour-market
The NHS also confirms that early access to mental health support significantly improves recovery outcomes and reduces escalation.
Younger Employees Are at Higher Risk
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlights a strong age-related trend:
Around 1 in 5 working adults report high anxiety levels
Anxiety is highest among younger workers, particularly those under 35
Younger employees are more likely to report work-related stress and burnout
In Leeds, where the workforce includes a large proportion of young professionals and early-career employees, this has direct implications for retention and engagement.
Why Traditional EAP Models Underperform
When reviewing the data, the issue is not awareness. It is accessibility.
Common barriers include:
Waiting times of days or weeks
Phone-only support
Limited session availability
Employees delaying support until crisis point
As a result, EAPs are often used too late, when absence or burnout has already occurred.
Why VÕS HELP Performs Better
The VÕS HELP app has been built around the behavioural evidence behind engagement. This is why VÕS HELP is regarded as the fastest mental health app in the UK.
Research consistently shows that employees are more likely to seek help when:
Support is available immediately
Access is discreet and digital
No booking or scheduling is required
VÕS HELP provides:
Real-time access to counsellors
No waiting lists
Confidential, app-based support
Early intervention before issues escalate
By removing the key barriers identified in traditional EAP data, VÕS HELP aligns directly with what the evidence shows works.
What the Data Means for HR Teams in Leeds
The statistics are clear:
Nearly half of work-related ill health is mental health related
Traditional EAPs reach less than 1 in 10 employees
Early access significantly reduces absence duration and severity
For data-driven HR teams in Leeds, the future of workplace mental health lies in accessible, real-time support that employees actually use.
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