More people in Yorkshire wanted to take time off work due to mental health problems during pandemic than anywhere else in England, new figures reveal

Some 51 per cent of people questioned said their mental health had made them want to take time off work or school since the start of the pandemic - the highest rate in England and six per cent over the national average.

But just 21 per cent of people in the region actually did take time off, the data from Time To Change reveals.

Charities and mental health organisations have warned that the impact of the pandemic on mental health may be both far-reaching and long-lasting.

And one in five people questioned said their support network has shrunk since the start of the pandemic due to the impact of working and studying from home.

The data was released to mark Time To Talk Day, which encourages people to discuss their mental health in order to reduce stigma.

Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, said “We know that attitudes towards those of us with mental health problems have improved in recent years and it’s important that we don’t let that slide.

“The last year has been hard and it’s perhaps made more people realise that we can all struggle with our mental health at times. Let’s take this opportunity to ensure that we all feel comfortable talking about it, too.

Lauren Ruddock, 26, who is a lab technician and poet from York and has several mental health diagnoses including anxiety and seasonal affective disorder said she has felt uncomfortable in the past talking about her mental health at work.

She said: “I think it’s difficult for me to approach my work about mental health

“I went downhill in April. My depression got really bad and I was having suicidal thoughts.

“But I thought ‘I can’t tell them what’s going on, they’re going to get rid of me’.

“There’s a couple of things workplaces can do to help. They can give people a non-judgmental space and not try to fix people.”

Ms Ruddock is now back at work after being unable to work for several months.

She is leading the York branch of Time To Change in holding a virtual poetry reading night tonight.

It comes as separate data shows that people with mental health problems are more likely to be worried about returning to the workplace when lockdown eases.

More than four in 10 (43%) people with mental health problems said they are worried about returning to their usual working arrangements after lockdown, compared with 30% of the wider workforce, according to the Mental Health and Income Commission.

Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said: "We understand that some people may be anxious about returning to the workplace after lockdown, but additional help is available for those who need it.

"Access to Work is helping over 43,000 disabled people stay in work, including record numbers with a mental health condition. This free specialist mental health support is also on offer for those who are working from home.

"I would encourage everyone to take up the support available through the scheme."

The Access to Work scheme is available to help people who are disabled or have a physical or mental health condition stay in employment. It can provide grants up to £60,000 to keep a job accessible.