A third of Australian employees in the corporate sector are affected by mental illness, a large study has found.
The results of Australia's Biggest Mental Health Check-In found of those assessed as having a mental health issue, 36 per cent suffered from depression, 33 per cent from anxiety and 31 per cent from stress.
The research involved the assessment of 3500 employees across 41 organisations from a range of industries, conducted by mental health technology group Medibio.
Participants were profiled through a set of 100 questions. Biometric data was also captured through the use of wearable heart rate monitors during sleep.
Most people (73 per cent) did not realise they had a mental health disorder and most were not seeking help, according to the findings.
Perfectionism and self-criticism were strongly linked to anxiety, particularly among the women.
The research also revealed men were less likely to express their emotions when stressed compared to women.
Importantly, less than half (47 per cent) of Australians said they were comfortable disclosing a mental health condition to a manager.
Psychologist and Check-in program creator Peta Slocombe said the manner in which workers now live and interact has changed radically in the past decade and to the detriment of their mental health.
"It is now vital for all organisations, from government to business, to change the way they address this major societal challenge," Ms Slocombe said.
