Mental health: Why we can’t afford to stay silent

The conversation around mental health is growing, with a remarkable 40% increase in people reaching out for support since before the pandemic. In 2024 alone, 3.8 million individuals in England and Wales took that important first step to seek help, showing a new level of openness and determination to challenge stigma. This rising demand is a sign of real progress - more people than ever are ready to talk about mental health and to ask for the support they deserve.

Yet, challenges remain. While awareness and willingness to seek help have significantly increased, the support systems are still catching up. Today, 1.7 million patients are on waiting lists for community care, and 48,000 have faced long waits. Tragically, in 2024, there were 6,190 suicide deaths in England and Wales - sobering numbers that remind us there is more to be done.

But these figures are not just statistics; they represent our colleagues, friends, and family members. With continued compassion, investment, and action, there’s hope that support will become more accessible.

The digital dilemma

Alongside these challenges, we must acknowledge how much technology shapes our mental health. The average person now spends 10 years of their life looking at a mobile phone, and the typical UK adult spends around 4 hours a day online, much of it on social media.

This digital world brings both connection and pressure. On the one hand, it allows us to stay close to friends, discover communities, and access resources instantly. On the other hand, it fuels comparison culture, exposes us to a constant stream of filtered “perfection,” and makes it harder to switch off. For younger generations especially, social media has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality.

In the workplace, being “always on” checking emails late at night or feeling the pressure to respond instantly on messaging apps can accelerate burnout. Technology itself isn’t the enemy, but how we manage it, and how organisations support employees to set healthy boundaries, is becoming a core part of the wellbeing agenda.

Why mental health matters to me

This isn’t just a professional interest for me; it’s deeply personal. Eight years ago, I went through a harrowing experience that opened my eyes to how difficult it can be to access support and how isolating the journey can feel. It’s one of the reasons I’ve devoted time outside of work to mental health whether through fundraising, running a small not-for-profit, or giving talks and training in schools and organisations.

What I’ve learned from these experiences is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone’s story is different. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is listen without judgment, without rushing to fix. I’ve also seen how small acts of kindness can ripple out and make a real difference in someone’s life.

The role of the workplace

If we look at the numbers, the average person in the UK lives to around 81 years old - that’s 972 months. Of those, around 47 years are spent working. If mental health isn’t part of the conversation in the workplace, we’re leaving a huge piece of the puzzle untouched.

When employees feel safe to talk about their mental health, it doesn’t just reduce stress - it builds trust, strengthens teams, and actually improves productivity. Leaders sharing their own stories can help normalise these conversations. Training managers to spot the signs and offering flexible support like mental health days or access to counselling, can shift the culture from silence to openness.

Building a culture of care

Ultimately, creating a workplace where mental health is valued as much as physical health doesn’t come from big statements alone. It’s in the everyday actions. It’s checking in on a colleague, being honest about how we’re really doing, and treating mental health with the same seriousness as a physical illness.

And in today’s digital age, that also means respecting the importance of “switching off.” Encouraging employees to step away from screens, making it acceptable to disconnect outside of working hours, and promoting mindful use of technology can all help protect wellbeing.

Our role at OneAdvanced

As a technology business, we know we have a responsibility. Innovation should make life better - not harder. At OneAdvanced, we’re committed to designing digital solutions that support people rather than overwhelm them. That means developing tools that streamline work instead of creating “always on” cultures and using data responsibly to improve outcomes in areas like healthcare and public services.

In terms of supporting our staff with mental health, OneAdvanced has a Wellness Action Plan that enables line managers to provide tailored guidance and support. Our wellness programme is designed around each individual to ensure it is bespoke - it’s not about us telling employees how to manage their mental health, but about listening to them so they can tell us what support they need.

We also offer a Mental Health Hub, which includes a variety of resources and signposts to different organisations, including charities, private healthcare providers, counsellors, and public forums where employees can explore additional support options. Building on this, we have trained a number of our employees to become Mental Health First Responders, providing peer support and fostering a culture of care across the organisation.

Finally, we believe that technology leaders must play their part in reducing stigma. That starts inside our own organisation by creating space for conversations, ensuring our people have access to resources and support, and recognising that wellbeing is essential to performance. But it also extends to our customers and communities: making sure we use innovation to free up time, reduce stress, and empower people to focus on what matters most.

Because mental health isn’t a side issue it’s fundamental. If we can use technology wisely, combined with compassion and openness, we can help create a society where asking for help is normalised, and no one feels they have to face struggles alone.