Mental health issues accounted for 30% of group income protection claims in 2015, according to Legal and General.
The insurance provider's claims information, which has been released to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (16-22 May), also found that early intervention and funding for appropriate treatment helped 80% of mental health absence notifications in 2015, so that employees could return to work before a claim was made. This included the provision of 6,491 psychological treatment sessions.
Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological disorders have been the main reason behind group income protection claims to Legal and General for the last 17 years.
Martin Noone (pictured), managing director at Legal and General Workplace Health and Protection, said: “Mental health issues are becoming increasingly commonplace in the UK and it is a topic that needs to be discussed much more often, making this week’s awareness campaign a vital part of encouraging people to discuss such issues openly."
