A study shows how long-term investment in workplace mental health and wellbeing is essential to making a difference to the next generation of talent.

As young people step into the early stages of their careers, supporting their mental health is more essential than ever.

The free “i am me” app, co-created by young people and with support from GPs, mental health practitioners, psychologists, psychotherapists, nutritionists and teen Samaritans, educates and empowers young people to take charge of their own wellbeing. It addresses the need for proactive mental health support, helping users understand how small lifestyle changes can make a significant impact.

The importance of early intervention is highlighted by the Mental Health Foundation, which reveals that 75% of mental health issues are established by age 24.

Recognising this, the app organises content around six core pillars of lifestyle medicine: stress, sleep, nutrition, relationships, headspace and movement. Research suggests that early positive action in these areas can improve a person’s mental health when a diagnosis is made.

A case for proactive mental health support

With the cost of lost productivity due to stress, anxiety, and depression reaching £51bn in the UK annually (Deloitte, 2024), the economic argument for proactive mental health support is clear.

Research has shown that a person’s lifestyle choices significantly impact the quality of their life in terms of levels of happiness and their longevity (Beuttner & Skemp, 2016). Physical activity, for example, can reduce anxiety and depression with just 20 minutes of daily movement (Stubbs & Schuch, 2019).

Diet also plays a crucial role. The SMILES trial demonstrated that dietary changes, such as reducing processed and sugary foods, can improve mental health in people with depression.

Research also indicates that a person’s sense of belonging, sense of purpose, and the quality of their relationships can significantly impact their overall quality of life, health, and wellbeing (Windsor et al., 2015).

Additionally, poor sleep quality is known to affect cognitive function (Buettner & Skemp, 2019) and mental health (Del Rio Joao et al., 2018), underscoring the importance of sleep in maintaining both mental and physical wellbeing.

Latest studies seek to understand how a proactive approach may help prevent the development of mental health conditions.

“I am me” research

Research carried out by Claire Libby in 2024 as part of her MSc in psychology, explored how engaging with the “I am me” app affected wellbeing in early career participants aged 18-25 across industries like retail, manufacturing, engineering and beauty.

Participants were divided into three groups: one with no app access, one with access-only, where they were signposted as a resource to support their mental health and wellbeing, and a third with “developed access”.

The developed access group was required to engage more deeply with the app’s resources at least twice a week—utilising articles, audio content, meditation, and stress trackers. Participants also attended an introductory wellbeing session and joined one to two workday drop-in clinics with Claire, a certified health coach, to discuss proactive strategies for supporting their mental health and wellbeing.

Participants’ wellbeing and the subsequent effect on their overall wellbeing scores were measured by The Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale at baseline and the end of the research study period (two months).

The study revealed a significant difference in wellbeing scores between young people in the no access group and those in the developed access group. Notably, some participants in the ‘no access’ and ‘access only’ groups experienced a decline in their wellbeing scores over the course of the study.

Key takeaways for employers

• Providing mental health resources or holding a one-off workshop is not enough to see improvements young talent’s mental health and wellbeing. Proactive and continuous engagement with wellbeing resources and additional support, if required, leads to better outcomes.

• Helping young people understand the link between lifestyle choices and mental health is critical. A proactive approach empowers them to make positive changes.

• Lead by example – establishing a culture where wellbeing is visibly prioritised can influence norms across all levels of the organisation.

• Wellbeing isn’t a one-time activity; it’s a way of living that requires ongoing support and exploration, especially as young professionals navigate the pressures of early career life in a world continually evolving.

Incorporating mental health and wellbeing initiatives into the workplace is a long-term investment in the next generation of talent.

With tools like the “i am me” app, employers can play a pivotal role in equipping young people with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive both personally and professionally.

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