Men’s mental health issues are often described as a silent crisis, with many struggles going undetected as men face pressure to always appear composed.

LiveCareer UK’s Men’s Workplace Wellbeing Report found that more than 8 in 10 working men (84%) have hidden stress, burnout, or mental health struggles at work to appear strong or professional.

Based on a survey of 700 employed UK men, the report also revealed that 89% believe men are expected to “tough it out” rather than show mental health struggles, while two-thirds (66%) have considered leaving or actually left a job over its impact on their mental health.

Key Findings

  • 84% have hidden mental health struggles at work: Including 22% who say they do so constantly and 62% occasionally.
  • 89% feel pressure to appear strong: Respondents agree that men are expected to “tough it out” and avoid showing mental health struggles at work.
  • 80% have worked while sick or exhausted: Including 16% who say they have done so frequently in the past year because they did not want to appear weak.
  • 80% connect job loss with personal failure: They agree that losing their job would feel like a personal failure, not just a financial setback.
  • 48% receive little or no manager check-ins: Including 38% whose manager never specifically asked about their mental well-being in the past year.
  • 66% have considered leaving or left a job over mental health: Including 24% who actually left.

The Pressure to Appear Strong at Work

Despite growing conversations about workplace mental health, many men remain reluctant to show when they are struggling. While 72% of respondents rate their current mental health positively, 84% acknowledge having concealed stress, burnout, or mental health struggles at work to appear strong or professional. More than one in five (22%) say they do so constantly.

When asked how frequently they hide these struggles:

  • Occasionally – 62%
  • Constantly – 22%
  • Never – 16%

What this means: While most respondents rate their overall mental health as good, the vast majority still feel forced to hide their daily stress on the job. A positive outlook doesn’t stop them from masking emotional strain to meet workplace expectations. 

When Career Becomes Personal Identity

The research also highlights how closely many men associate employment and financial success with their sense of self-worth:

  • 80% agree that losing their job would feel like a personal failure, not just a financial setback
  • 76% say how much they earn affects how successful they feel as a man
  • 68% feel at least some pressure to earn enough to support themselves or those who depend on them, including 54% who report significant or intense pressure

These pressures may help explain why some men feel compelled to tolerate difficult working conditions. Among respondents:

  • 39% have tolerated unreasonable workloads because of financial responsibilities
  • 32% have accepted inadequate pay
  • 31% have tolerated poor treatment by a manager
  • 30% have remained in a toxic workplace culture

The personal costs extend beyond the workplace. More than half (52%) have sacrificed sleep because of work or pressure to earn more, while 43% have sacrificed time with family or friends.

What this means: For many, self-worth is tied directly to their paycheck and job title. This intense pressure to provide makes workers far more likely to put up with toxic culture, poor pay, and burnout. 

Nearly Half Receive Little or No Mental Health Check-Ins

Despite the pressure men report, many say conversations about mental well-being are infrequent. Nearly half (48%) say their line manager checked in specifically about their stress or mental well-being only once or never in the past 12 months. More than one-third (38%) report receiving no such check-in at all.

Men also identify several barriers that could prevent them from discussing mental health concerns or seeking workplace support:

  • Fear of judgment or stigma – 36%
  • Preference for handling problems independently – 31%
  • Concern that speaking up could damage their career – 30%
  • Privacy or confidentiality concerns – 25%
  • Lack of trust in their manager – 23%

Only 14% selected the response indicating they would feel comfortable seeking support. These findings suggest that encouraging open conversations may not be enough if employees remain concerned about how their disclosures will be perceived.

What this means: Bosses rarely check in on employee well-being, and workers rarely ask for help. Fear of career damage, social stigma, and a habit of keeping quiet create a wall of silence.

Mental Health Concerns Are Also a Retention Issue

The impact of work on mental health may extend to whether employees choose to stay with an employer. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents have considered leaving or actually left a job because of its negative impact on their mental health. Of those surveyed, 42% considered leaving but stayed, while 24% left.

When asked which employer actions would most improve their mental health at work, men prioritised practical changes to working conditions:

  • 41% – More flexible work arrangements
  • 35% – More manageable workloads
  • 22% – Affordable, confidential mental health services
  • 21% – Clearer boundaries around after-hours work
  • 20% – Additional paid time off for mental health
  • 20% – Managers trained to support employee mental health

By comparison, 14% selected leaders speaking openly about mental health. The findings suggest that while visible leadership support has a role, many employees place greater value on changes that affect their everyday working lives.

What this means: Unaddressed work stress is driving staff out the door, with two-thirds of men considering or taking a new job. When looking for fixes, workers want practical daily changes – like flexibility and lighter workloads – over executive speeches. 

Methodology

The findings presented in this report are based on a nationally representative survey conducted by LiveCareer UK using Pollfish on September 15, 2026. The survey collected responses from 700 British men who are currently employed and explored their experiences with mental health in the workplace. They answered different types of questions, including yes/no, open-ended, scale-based questions where respondents indicated their level of agreement with statements, and multiple-choice where they could select from a list of provided options.