We asked a series of questions specifically about individuals wellbeing during 2024 - to capture a snapshot of how freelancers were feeling.
28% of the group felt their mental health was poor in 2024. 31.8% felt their sleep health was poor in the last 12 months. 41.4% felt their financial wellbeing was poor over the past year.
45.4% of our group saw their mental health decline during 2024, almost half of the group.
Only 10% of freelancers had no incidences of stress, anxiety or poor mental health having a negative impact on their ability to work effectively during 2024.
Two thirds of freelancers felt that stress, anxiety or poor mental health got in their way of being able to work effectively at some point more than once during the year.
This is not significantly higher than reported numbers for employees who report poorer productivity due to stress, however, freelancers don’t have the same level of support from peers, managers or HR departments - and are less able to take time off work to recover.
50% of our group were, at some point during 2024, unable to work due to poor mental health. 31% were unable to work for 3 or more days during the year.
Self-employed individuals generally do not have access to paid sick leave or statuatory sick pay, but beyond this, being unable to work can lead to further mental health challenges, due to increased stress around income, creating a downward spiral, especially for those who are unable to work for longer periods of time.
According to HSE, in 2023/24, across the UK workforce, people took an average of 15.5 days off work due to stress, depression, or anxiety. On average, the self-employed are taking fewer days off work due to stress, depression, or anxiety.
Whilst only a marginally higher percentage of people were prevented from working due to poor physical health during 2024, the fact that roughly the same number of people were unable to work due to poor physical health as poor mental health is a cause for concern.
Whilst we can protect ourselves somewhat from colds and viruses, mental health issues can be harder to avoid - especially when so many factors our outside of our control.
Both of these questions, however, highlight the importance for freelancers to prepare for unexpected off during the working year, as it’s more than likely to affect you.
