October Health – 2025 Report

Depression in United Kingdom

There isn’t a single leading cause of depression or stress for the UK population; it’s multifactorial. Key population-level drivers include: - Economic hardship and financial strain (poverty, debt, housing costs) - Unemployment and insecure/high-stress work (job insecurity, long hours, low control) - Social isolation and weak social connections (loneliness) - Chronic illness or disability and major life stressors (trauma, caregiving) To support a workforce, address these factors with financial wellbeing, fair working conditions, social connection, and health supports. October offers digital group sessions, assessments, and content that can help scale these supports.

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Depression Prevalence
25.19%
Affected people
13,854,500

Impact on the people of United Kingdom

High levels of depression-related stress: effects on health and personal life (UK)

Health effects

  • Sleep problems, fatigue, and changes in appetite or weight
  • Physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain, or worsened chronic conditions
  • Difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making
  • Persistent low mood or irritability, anxiety, and reduced motivation
  • Increased risk of substance use and, in severe cases, self-harm or suicide risk

Personal life effects

  • Strained relationships due to withdrawal, miscommunication, or increased conflict
  • Social isolation and reduced participation in activities
  • Parenting or caregiving challenges; less patience and consistency
  • Financial stress and difficulty managing daily tasks
  • Disrupted routines and neglect of self-care

Coping strategies (brief)

  • Seek professional help (GP, psychologist, or therapist); discuss workplace support
  • Establish a simple daily routine, good sleep hygiene, and light activity
  • Reach out to trusted people and consider employer resources or employee assistance programs
  • Limit alcohol and avoid non-prescribed substances

When to seek urgent help

  • If you’re in immediate danger or have a plan to harm yourself, call 999 or go to A&E
  • For crisis support when not in immediate danger, contact Samaritans (116 123) or NHS 111
  • For ongoing concerns, contact your GP or local mental health services (e.g., IAPT) and explore reputable resources

UK resources

  • NHS: nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services
  • Mind: mind.org.uk
  • Samaritans: samaritans.org, 116 123
  • October (digital support): offers group sessions, assessments, and content to help manage depression and stress; may be available through workplace programs or directly if offered to individuals by employers or health plans.

Impact on the United Kingdom Economy

Economic impacts of high depression-related stress in the UK

  • Direct costs to health and social care (GP visits, medications, referrals) and benefits claims
  • Productivity losses from absenteeism and presenteeism (reduced performance while at work)
  • Higher staff turnover and recruitment/training costs
  • Reduced consumer spending and slower GDP growth due to lower household income
  • Long-term effects on wages and labor force participation (scarring, reduced lifetime earnings)

Workplace actions to mitigate costs

  • Provide access to evidence-based support (e.g., employee assistance programs and digital tools like October for group sessions and assessments)
  • Train managers to spot early signs, reduce stigma, and offer flexible, workload-friendly arrangements
  • Normalize mental health conversations and implement reasonable accommodations
  • Track metrics (absences, turnover, engagement) to evaluate impact and ROI of programs

What can government do to assist?

  • Expand access to evidence-based care and digital options (NHS IAPT, parity of esteem, and scalable tools like October for group sessions and assessments)
  • Improve workplace mental health and welfare (manager training, flexible working, manageable workloads, paid sick leave, and accessible employee assistance programs)
  • Address social and economic determinants (poverty reduction, affordable housing, secure jobs, adequate welfare support)
  • Invest in prevention, education, and community connections (school mental health programs, anti-stigma campaigns, community hubs, and green spaces)
  • Scale digital health and data-informed policy (national digital mental health resources, remote care options, privacy safeguards, and ongoing outcome monitoring)

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

  • Policy and leadership: Adopt a written mental health policy, train line managers in supportive conversations, assign a senior owner, and allocate budget to wellbeing initiatives to model a healthy culture.

  • Work design and workload: Regularly review workloads and deadlines, prevent chronic overtime, set clear priorities, and encourage regular breaks and time off.

  • Flexible work and boundaries: Offer flexible hours and hybrid options, respect non-work hours, and implement a formal right to disconnect where possible.

  • Access to support: Provide confidential access to employee assistance programs (EAP), NHS IAPT paths, or private therapy benefits; clear, easy signposting to these resources.

  • Stigma reduction and skills: Deliver mental health literacy and manager coaching for supportive conversations, plus peer support or employee resource groups to foster openness.

  • Digital support options: Consider October for digital group sessions, assessments, and mental health content to broaden reach and support between in-person resources.