Almost 40% of Suffolk workers struggle to sleep due to their job situation, a study has revealed.

Research by the Mental Health Toolkit, Suffolk Mind’s training arm, found that 37% of the 742 workers surveyed in 2024 have trouble sleeping because of their work situation.

Sleep is one of the 12 essential needs for mental wellbeing.

Jon Neal, chief executive of Suffolk Mind, said: “We spend a significant proportion of our lives at work – so it is no surprise it can have an effect on the quality of our sleep.

“Introducing mental health training, and the lessons it teaches, can make a real difference to both the employee and the employer.

“It is important to stress that this isn’t just something that will help improve the wellbeing of staff, but increase productivity too.

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"It really is a win-win."

The findings, from the charity’s Emotional Needs Audit, were revealed to mark World Mental Health Day on Thursday, with this year’s theme being ‘mental health in the workplace’.

The audit saw respondents score how well they are meeting their needs from 3 (well met) to -3 (not at all).

Sleep stands out as the least-met need among workers in the county at -1.21, far behind others like security, control and emotional connection.

The second least-met need was community at 0.64.

Mr Neal added: “The workplace is an environment in which we can meet many of our emotional needs – so you’ll never hear us suggesting people should work less, or be signed off work with stress without finding out what’s causing it.

“But it’s important that line managers and workplaces are equipped to support people in meeting their needs, avoiding stress and, therefore, mental ill health."

The Mental Health Toolkit offers various online and in-person courses for businesses, ranging from short taster sessions to multi-day courses on supporting mental health.