Helping minds flourish

Good mind health lets us think, feel and act in a way that allows us to enjoy life, overcome challenges that come our way and be more productive. And when we struggle with ill mental health, it has the opposite effect. In 2023:

over 50% of Brits are not in a positive state of mental wellbeing¹

£102 billion wiped from the UK economy due to poor mental health at work²

We want people, families, small business owners, and businesses to flourish

We spoke to 16,000 people to understand the state of mind health across 16 different countries, including the Americas, Europe and Asia for the AXA Mind Health Study. Now in its fourth year, it identifies how people are feeling and where they sit on the Mind Health Meter, from Struggling – associated with emotional distress - to Flourishing – the pinnacle of good mind health.

An AXA meter with 4 measurements which are Struggling, languishing, getting by and Flourishing. The meter is pointing at Getting By.

Us Brits have the worst mind health in Europe

People in the UK are more likely to be struggling with their mind health compared to any other country surveyed, aside from Japan. When compared to last year’s study, there’s an increasing number of people in the UK that are suffering from a mental health condition, up from 33% in 2022 to 37% in 2023.

Illustration of a person feeding his dog with a sad expression in front of a group of 4 people who are socializing on the grass.

1 in 5 people are Struggling

20% of the UK are currently struggling and 33% are languishing.

Illustration of three people, one man and two women, standing in front of a pink background. They appear to be having a conversation while holding papers and tablets

1 in 3 people have a mental health condition

Anxiety disorders (24%) and depression (22%) are the most common conditions.

Worried woman sitting on floor with a cat at home

3 in 4 people struggle due to their work environment

Trouble sleeping, stress, lack of confidence and loss of interest are common consequences.

Read the global AXA mind health study

Nurturing your mind health and how to deal with difficult feelings

Anyone can experience feelings of stress and anxiety. And it shows up differently depending on the circumstance and our ability to navigate it. It’s important to proactively look after our minds and seek help when the feelings become too much. And, just like adults, children and young people can experience a mental health condition. Dr Joshua Harwood, Child Clinical Psychologist, explains what signs parents should look for.

Managing stress, anxiety and depressionlink to mental health page in axa health Supporting children’s mental health Go to children and young people page in axa health

Mind health in the workplace

Data shows that those who believe their company care for the mental health of its employees and is taking action to help them are almost 2 times more likely to have flourishing mind health¹. Take a look at our suite of webinars, mental health guides and wellbeing programmes.