Almost half of public sector employees have taken time off work due to mental health problems, a new survey reveals.

Some 48 per cent have had time off compared to 32 per cent in the private sector workforce, the research found.

Public sector employees take nearly three days off sick every year due to their mental health compared to just under one day among those in the private workforce, the survey adds.

It is unclear why mental health disorders appear to affect public sector employees more.

Almost half of public sector workers have taken time off due to their mental health (stock)

FIVE SIGNS YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS UNDER STRAIN Licy Lyus, the information manager at the mental health charity Mind set out the lesser-known symptoms: You become less social - this may include cancelling plans and putting off seeing friends and family, The Independent reported.

- this may include cancelling plans and putting off seeing friends and family, The Independent reported. You can't concentrate - you may also have problems thinking or speaking clearly, and notice a worse memory.

- you may also have problems thinking or speaking clearly, and notice a worse memory. Your sleep is impacted - this may include difficulty getting up in the morning or sleeping excessively.

- this may include difficulty getting up in the morning or sleeping excessively. You feel numb - mental health problems can cause you to feel detached from your surroundings.

- mental health problems can cause you to feel detached from your surroundings. You have physical symptoms - these could include sweating, shaking or feeling nauseous. Advertisement

How big was the survey?

The mental health charity Mind conducted the survey of more than 12,000 workers from across the UK.

More than 5,700 of the participants were public sector employees.

What were the results?

The results revealed 48 per cent of public sector workers have had time off due to poor mental health compared to 32 per cent in the private workforce.

This causes public sector workers to take nearly three sick days annually compared to just under one day among private workers, the survey adds.

Although the results revealed more public sector workers feel able to open up to their employer, just 49 per cent feel supported when they disclose their issues compared to 61 per cent in the private sector.

The results also found some 15 per cent of those in the public sector have self-professed poor mental health compared to nine per cent of private sector employees.

Why public sector employees appear to be more affected by mental health disorders was not discussed.

How can the findings be used?

Mind chief executive Paul Farmer said: 'A vital part of changing the lives of people with mental health problems is to tackle the culture of fear and silence in the workplace that stops people opening up about what they are experiencing.

'But it's also vital that when people do speak out they get the right help and support at the right time.

'It's clear there is still a long way to go in both the public and private sector to address the gap between people asking for support and actually getting what they need.

'By promoting wellbeing for all staff, tackling the causes of work-related mental health problems and supporting staff who are experiencing mental health problems, organisations can help keep people at work and create mentally healthy workplaces where people are supported to perform at their best.'