Never before have so many employees suffered from mental illness
Published on December 29, 2023 | Reading time: 2 minutes
Pandemic, war, inflation, work intensification – the many stresses have taken their toll on employees in 2022
Quelle: picture alliance / Westend61
The number of days missed due to mental illnesses has never been higher than in 2022. The many crises and the workload are making people sick, according to the Federal Ministry of Labor. One group of employees in particular is affected.
The number of sick days due to mental illnesses rose to a new high last year. In 2022, these sick days increased by six million days to 132 million days, according to responses from the Federal Ministry of Labor to inquiries from the Left Party.
A year earlier, the number of days missed due to mental illnesses was 126 million days. The “Rheinische Post” first reported on it.
According to the ministry, the numbers have more than doubled within ten years: in 2012, the number of sick days due to psychological stress was still around 65 million. According to the information, more than 40 percent of early retirements due to reduced earning capacity are due to psychological stress.
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According to the ministry’s response, the world of work is exposed to particular dynamics of change in many areas due to crises and ongoing developments such as digitalization, decarbonization, demographic change and a shortage of skilled workers.
This leads to new stress demands on employees, which could influence mental health. At the same time, openness in dealing with mental illnesses has increased. Increasing workloads, staff shortages and new demands due to digitalization have led to a continuous increase in psychological stress, said Left-wing Bundestag member Susanne Ferschl to the “Rheinische Post”.
Employees in areas such as nursing and geriatric care, in daycare centers or schools are particularly affected. The Left Party called for an anti-stress regulation, comprehensive occupational health and safety controls and staffing limits.
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