MIMHC

Workplace mental health provisions still lacking, claim majority of brokers




More than half of brokers (52%) said that their workplace mental health provision had not improved or that they didn’t know of any existing, revealed the latest Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) report.

The study — based on the results of MIMHC’s survey launched in April — explores brokers’ and individuals’ current wellbeing and their experiences of working within the mortgage industry, alongside tracking mental health provision and support available within the sector.

According to the report, 46% of respondents also said there was no mental health strategy at all, or that they didn’t know of any within their business.

When discussing their current mental health and wellbeing state, nearly a quarter of individuals (23%) said their mental health is ‘poor’ or ‘of concern’.

The survey results also revealed that 55% of mortgage brokers work more than the recommended weekly guidance, with 13% of people saying they still work 60 or more hours a week.

In addition, a quarter of brokers never get the recommended amount of sleep in any given week.

Despite this, brokers are moderately happy with their professional contentment — however, those who are disillusioned and considering their options has risen to 14% (previously 10%).

A happy relationship, financial independence, getting enough sleep, and a healthy fitness and diet routine are consistent front-runners on factors contributing to mental health.

Commenting on the results, Scott Howitt, sales director at Chartwell Mortgage Services, said: "Our job is to keep pressing the button and push forward on promoting awareness and offering support.

"We have done a good job in doing so, but we need to keep this in the mortgage community; I think the current climate will continue to add pressure and we need to keep promoting what we do, as the next six-12 months will be a very interesting and challenging time for us all."

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