A multi-country mental health survey has revealed that wellbeing continues to decline despite increasing public awareness.
The 2026 AXA Mind Health Report found that more than 3 in 10 individuals have at least one mental health issue, while only 4 in 10 workplaces have mental health policies in place, highlighting the gap between individual experiences and the real-world support available.
The AXA Mind Health Index and Study, conducted in partnership with Ipsos, incorporates 16 countries and is a tool for assessing and promoting mental health.
The report’s authors say it provides an overview of people’s current mental state, identifies ways of improving mental health and enables the measurement of mind health over time.
Mental health is at its lowest point in 5 years
This year’s report has revealed that mental health is at its lowest point in over 5 years, with 10 out of the 16 countries surveyed recording their lowest results in mind health since the Index began in 2021, even though public conversation surrounding mental health and wellbeing has never been more open.
It found that 31% of survey respondents reported having at least one mental health issue.
The index explores the positive and negative emotions that people are experiencing and the impact these are having on their state of mind. It then places people in one of four categories, or ‘Mind Health States.’ These are:
- Flourishing – classified by a Mind Health Index score greater than 75, this represents the pinnacle of positive mental health. Individuals who are flourishing score well across a range of mental wellbeing determinants and outcomes.
- Getting by – this describes individuals who have some areas of good mental health but are not quite flourishing. They may experience a dampened sense of wellbeing compared to individuals who are flourishing.
- Languishing – this indicates the absence of positive wellbeing. Individuals who are languishing are not functioning at full capacity, may feel unmotivated and could struggle to focus. They are at increased risk of developing mental illness.
- Struggling – this represents the absence of mental health and wellbeing in most areas, meaning individuals are experiencing difficulty. Struggling is associated with emotional distress and psychosocial impairment.
More than half of young people ‘struggling’ with their mental health
Sadly, more than 1 out of 2 young adults aged 18-24 are classified as ‘languishing’ or ‘struggling’ (59%), which is 13% more than the global average (46%).
Furthermore, young adults under the age of 35 are 2.3 times more likely to receive a severe diagnosis of depression, anxiety or stress.
This continued epidemic of mental ill-health among young people is fuelled by a range of risk factors, including world instability, climate anxiety and rapid work and technologies transformations, which can disproportionately impact young adults.
Young adults are also more likely to report the following as detrimental to their mental health and wellbeing:
- Excessive use of social media
- Fear of missing out in social media
- Loneliness and social isolation
Despite demonstrating widespread mental health concerns among young people, the report does highlight “encouraging signs that young adults are more open to talking about their mental health challenges and seeking help.”
People still struggle to vocalise mental health struggles
Overall, though, there can still be resistance to speaking up and seeking help.
The report found that over a third of respondents (36%) didn’t believe they needed medical help. In total, 6 in 10 respondents said they hadn’t visited a healthcare professional for support over the last 12 months.
The report’s authors say the greatest barrier to better mental health is “the individual lack of understanding around what constitutes good mental health, the challenges that affect it and recognising when and where to seek professional medical help.”
Dr Imren Sterno, AXA Health medical advisor, says that a lack of self-awareness can prevent people seeking mental health support, citing the fact that 36% of survey respondents believe that “challenges to mental health don’t warrant medical attention,” and “that a health professional won’t be able to treat their struggles […].”
But, as she explains:
“Early treatment can avoid more complex problems, constant mental pressure and burnout. Across the globe, there has been a noticeable rise in sickness-related absence in the workplace, with employees taking longer periods of time off work with mental health disorders.”
Additional barriers to improving wellbeing
Other barriers to improving mental health included:
- Cost
- Time
- Stigma
- Access to practitioners
The report confirms challenges with accessing public healthcare. Only 42% of respondents agreed that “the public healthcare system in their country provides timely support for people with mental health conditions.”
Perhaps in the absence of traditional medical care, more people are turning to AI tools to manage mental health issues.
The report found that a massive 63% of individuals already use AI for mental health matters, with just over a fifth (21%) reporting regular use. The report acknowledges that AI can lower the four main barriers to diagnosis because it is free, available 24/7, immediate and, also, perhaps crucially, it is impersonal, removing the fear of stigma.
But the report’s authors also warn that “AI can be unhelpful and even damaging.”
They found that a third of respondents actually trusted AI platforms above trained mental health professionals, while over a quarter (28%) admitted that utilising AI tools had led them towards harmful behaviours.
Work-related stress is a “structural issue”
The report’s authors argue that employers can play a “decisive role” in breaking down some of the barriers to mental health improvement. They explain that employers can “encourage colleagues to discuss mental health challenges at work and also raise awareness around policies.”
But there is a gap between potential and reality, with just 41% of workplaces having a mental health policy in place.
The 2026 AXA Mind Health Report says that work-related stress is a structural issue.
Over half of the working population (56%) have experienced moderate to severe stress in their professional lives over the last year and nearly a quarter (24%) have been on sick leave for problems relating to mental health. For younger workers aged 18-24 this rose to 38%.
In the 2026 Index, almost 3 in 4 respondents (72%) reported at least one stress-related work impact. These included:
- Difficulty sleeping (33%)
- Increased irritability or mood swings
- Decreased motivation or productivity
- Physical symptoms such as headaches or muscle tension
For many individuals, work-related stress also impacted their personal life, with 15% reporting avoiding social interaction and 13% struggling with personal relationships.
Employers have a ‘decisive role’ to play in boosting mental health
But companies have an opportunity to turn the tide and reconcile employees’ unwillingness to talk openly about their mental health issues – 48% said they wouldn’t discuss their mental health challenges within their professional environment – with their overwhelming desire to benefit from psychological support in the workplace – 84% said they would participate in mental health and wellbeing programmes if they were offered at work.
Respondents indicated there would be high uptake levels for workplace initiatives such as free or subsidised exercise classes, employee assistance programmes, on-site nursers or therapists and mental health webinars and awareness sessions.
Karima Silvent, AXA Chief Human Resources Officer, commented in the report:
“The 2026 Mind Health Report delivers a sobering message: awareness is rising, but mental health challenges remain widespread – and, in some cases, they are worsening.
“Nearly one in two people worldwide (46%) report experiencing mental health issues, with younger generations particularly at risk. Yet information does not automatically translate into action: internal barriers – limited self-awareness and persistent misconceptions – still keep too many people from seeking support.
“This is where employers have a decisive role to play. Beyond providing benefits, organizations can build a culture that recognizes mental health realities and actively promotes openness, understanding, and resilience through education, managerial support, and clear pathways to care.
“The urgency is amplified as AI and digital tools reshape work and daily life. The risk of loneliness and social disconnection is rising; 92% of young adults say excessive screen time has a negative impact on their everyday lives. And even when support services exist, stigma and uncertainty often remain.
“When 43% of employees say their company has no dedicated mental health policy – and 48% find it daunting to initiate such conversations at work – education, trust, and open dialogue are no longer “nice to have”: they are essential.
“[…] Our experience shows that supporting mental well-being at work requires a comprehensive approach: education, cultural change, and support that is visible and easy to access. Organizations that invest in initiatives such as workshops and sustained communication to normalize these discussions and ensure every employee feels supported strengthen resilience and engagement while demonstrating a genuine commitment to people’s health and long-term performance. Ultimately, this is at the heart of our motto ‘Care and Dare for Progress’.”
Mental health training and support
Mental health learning and development solutions can play a significant role in helping people to recognise risk factors and proactively support positive mental wellbeing across the UK.
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food safety, mental health, health and social care and more.
An accredited Mindful Employer themselves, FRT’s specialist mental health training courses include Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.
They can also provide qualified, approved trainers to deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, including the Adult, Youth and Lite versions.
A trainer from FRT says:
“It’s so important that we continue to talk about mental health and that we check in on the people close to us. Supporting each other – particularly in challenging times, whether this relates to the global situation, workplace pressures or more personal issues – is key to protecting mental health and emotional wellbeing.
“We can also be proactive and self-aware in managing our own mental health. It’s important for us to be aware of things that impact our mental and emotional wellbeing, to be able to talk about these issues and how we’re feeling, and to take practical steps to manage these impacts.
“Training in key ways to support and promote positive mental health can empower individuals to support and promote their own mental health and build their emotional resilience. This can ensure we are better placed to help others and take positive steps to respond to global crises in the ways available to us.”
Resources to support mental health and wellbeing
A brief summary of our mental health training can now be downloaded as an infographic.
We also have a number of other free infographics available to download which provide simple tips for helping to manage your mental wellbeing. These include:
- Manage Your Stress
- Support Your Mental Health
- Connect With Nature
- Anxiety Factsheet
- Manage Your Anxiety
- Managing Panic Attacks
You can also download our free Guide to Mental Health Training from our website.
For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.