A survey of 4,213 employees who received counselling sessions through an employee assistance programme, has revealed only 17% of those questioned felt that their ability to cope with the demands of their job was 'good' or 'very good' before they had counselling, as opposed to 64% afterwards.
The research was carried out among employees from a range of businesses, who have access to counselling services as part of an employee assistance programme from FirstAssist, part of the Capita Group.
The results also show counselling has a positive effect on employees' personal lives, with just 9% saying satisfaction with their personal life was 'good' or 'very good' before counselling, compared to 57% saying the same thing afterwards.
Relationships with colleagues were also improved, with 23% saying they were either 'poor' or 'very poor' before, as opposed to only 2% afterwards.
Andrea Waller, managing director, FirstAssist, part of the Capita Group, said: "All the wider evidence shows that mental health issues are on the rise. Anxiety and depression can have a serious effect on all areas of a person's life, including their work.
"By cultivating an open and supportive working environment, including access to confidential counselling services as part of a comprehensive health and wellbeing approach, employers can work with employees to help them overcome their issues, which in turn will result in a more productive and loyal workforce. As pioneers of telephone counselling services for employees in the UK, this is something we have witnessed with many of our customers."
