Half of all adults reaching out for mental health support are aged under 45

 - Anxiety and relationship issues lead top 10 mental health concerns

 - One in 10 looking for help with work-related issues

 - More women than men seeking support

[Sunday, 5^th October]: Ahead of World Mental Health Day on Thursday, 10^th October 2019, laya healthcare today released findings from its Mental Wellbeing Support service, revealing anxiety and relationship issues as the top mental health concerns that drive one in four calls to its 24/7 helpline.

Record numbers seeking help

A sample of 8,500 laya healthcare members who accessed the 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme in the past 12 months gives a fascinating insight into the specific types of mental wellbeing help being requested and offered to Irish adults:

• One in two people using the service are aged under 40 years (48%), with one in three (33%) aged between 20 – 35 years[1]. This compares with 15% of those aged 51-60 years using the service
• More women (69%) are contacting 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme for help and advice than men (31%)[2]
• Almost half (42%) are looking for ‘in the moment’ help and support in dealing with an issue that’s affecting their mental wellbeing. A team of qualified Counsellors who answer the phone 24/7 provide this immediate help, and can refer the person on for face-to-face counselling, if deemed appropriate
• One in three (39%) members who call are referred on for face-to-face consultations with qualified Counsellors and Psychotherapists

According to Sinead Proos, Head of Health & Wellbeing at laya healthcare; “while it may seem alarming that there is such a high prevalence of younger adults seeking mental health support and advice, this age group tends to juggle lots of daily pressures and life changes including family, financial commitments, mortgages and their careers so it can be extremely challenging on their mental wellbeing. The positive is that they are reaching out and asking for the support they feel the need to help cope. There’s a lot to learn from this generation in this way.”

Top 5 most popular service requests

Of the wide range of mental wellbeing supports offered by the laya healthcare 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme, there are five that are most requested:

Commenting on the insight this offers, Sinead Proos says, “the big message here is that you can reach out to services like ours for help other than anxiety or mood. For many, there are daily decisions and questions like ‘how can I save for a mortgage’, or ‘am I in the right job’ that cause people stress. We put our members in touch with experts in different fields such as legal and financial to help give advice and guidance so that the issue doesn’t escalate or deteriorate to become a more acute mental health problem. Reaching out to talk to others and open up about what’s troubling you is often the most powerful first step in getting help and reducing anxiety.”

About laya healthcare’s 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme

Laya healthcare’s 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme provides members with access to a nationwide network of fully qualified, accredited and experienced counsellors and psychotherapists to help with everyday issues that may be impacting their wellbeing. Members can also access a panel of experts experienced in a variety of fields, including financial and tax advisors, legal professionals, career counsellors and more.

For more information on laya healthcare’s 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme, visit layahealthcare.ie/yourbenefits/mentalwellbeingsupport/

//Ends.

For more information contact:

Ciarán Curran, H+A Marketing + PR. Tel.: 021 466 6200 | 083 106 1193

Research methodology

All research statistics quoted source: Laya Healthcare 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Service utilisation for period: 1^st September 2018 – 31st August 2019

About laya healthcare

Laya healthcare members can avail of some of the most innovative health insurance benefits and services in the Irish health insurance market along with life insurance (layalife.ie) and travel insurance (layatravelinsurance.ie). Its brand promise, Looking After You Always, represents laya healthcare’s member-centric approach, which is fundamental to its vision and values.

Laya healthcare is proudly part of AIG, one of the leading global insurance organisations in the world with customers in more than 80 countries and jurisdictions. With their experienced team and innovative insurance solutions, along with AIG’s financial backing, global expertise and long-term commitment to Ireland, laya healthcare expect to go from strength to strength, widening their offering and bringing value and innovation to Ireland’s insurance market.

Health insurance provided by Elips Insurance Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare. Laya Healthcare Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare and Laya Life is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Life insurance provided by IptiQ Life SA. Laya Healthcare Limited trading as Laya Life and Laya Healthcare is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. 

[1] Laya Healthcare 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Service utilisation: 1^st September 2018 – 31st August 2019

[2] Laya Healthcare 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Service utilisation: 1^st September 2018 – 31st August 2019