Charity Chief Urges Action on Workplace Burnout as Crisis Looms

Concerns about workplace burnout in the UK have intensified, with experts warning that dismissing this issue could lead to severe mental health crises. Lisa Sharman, the head of education and training at St John’s Ambulance, emphasized that burnout is often an early warning sign of deeper problems. The charity’s initiatives aim to address mental health concerns proactively, but Sharman cautioned that societal attitudes could undermine these efforts.

Sharman pointed out that the prevailing British ethos of “never complain, never explain” discourages employees from discussing mental health openly. This silence can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression among workers. According to recent statistics, nearly 11 million fit notes were issued in England during the year leading up to June 2024, indicating that many individuals were assessed without an in-person consultation.

In November 2025, the government-commissioned Keep Britain Working Review highlighted a troubling trend: the number of young people aged 16 to 34 who are out of work due to mental health issues is rising sharply. This has led to calls for a shift in how mental health is perceived and treated in the workplace. Sharman noted that negative language surrounding mental health can deter individuals from seeking help, reinforcing harmful stigmas.

The review’s findings have drawn attention to the growing number of young adults in Britain who are neither in education nor employment. According to Alan Milburn, a former health secretary leading a separate review on youth unemployment, this situation represents both a social injustice and an economic catastrophe. He stated, “Nearly 1 million young people in Britain are not in education, employment, or training – and that number has been rising for four years.”

Sharman is particularly concerned about the impact of political rhetoric that labels employees as lazy. She argued that such language trivializes the very real experiences of those dealing with burnout and emotional overload. “Burnout is not just a buzzword; it is a genuine issue,” she said. “If recognized and addressed early, people can recover sooner.”

St John’s Ambulance has trained over 40,000 mental health first-aiders in workplaces, equipping them with the necessary skills to support colleagues experiencing mental health challenges. However, Sharman believes these initiatives are at risk if societal attitudes do not change. She pointed out that employees often feel pressured to lie about their health when seeking time off, underscoring the need for a cultural shift towards understanding and supporting mental health in the workplace.

The NHS has reported that by July 2025, it had issued more than 11 million fit notes, with an alarming 93 percent of these indicating patients were “not fit for work” without a clear plan for their return. This statistic further illustrates the scale of the “sick note” culture in the UK, where around 2.8 million individuals have been declared unfit for work due to long-term illnesses, half of whom are suffering from mental health issues.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has previously stated that the financial burden of the “sick society” inherited by the government is unsustainable. He advocates for a more proactive approach to mental health, arguing that it is essential to address these issues rather than simply writing people off.

Sharman concluded with a call to action, urging that the current momentum around mental health discussions should not fade. “Now is the time to ensure we address these issues properly, rather than pushing them back into the shadows,” she stressed.

The conversation surrounding mental health in the workplace is evolving, and as awareness grows, it is crucial that society embraces this change. By addressing burnout and its underlying causes, organizations can foster healthier work environments, ultimately benefiting both employees and employers.