Representational image.

Someone clearly does not like the 18 to 24 age group. When I wrote my article last week about how this age group treats interviews, the column was based on a survey of 18- to 24-year-olds asking them why they treated interviews with such a cavalier attitude. This time further research was conducted into the rising incidences of mental health issues among the same age group after they’ve entered the workforce. Calling in sick, worrying about their mental health, claiming stress, depression and unhappy at work are all things prevalent in this age group. Older critics have labelled this group the ‘mental_b’ group because they so easily claim to have mental health issues at the slightest difficulty at work.

My first job in England was with the Department of Trade and Industry. One morning my colleagues and I were having a laugh about something that had happened that morning. At one point, a senior member of staff walked in on our laughter and said, ‘Happy at work? What is the world coming to?’

The fact that we were caught laughing isn’t the point even though it didn’t happen every day. The point is the comment made by the senior manager because, I mean, it is a workplace after all. You go there to do your job to the best of your ability and earn your money at the end of the week or month. Honestly speaking, you don’t go there to have fun and be happy. But if you are then that’s a bonus. In order to be happy, you spend time with good friends, your family and a hobby that you enjoy. Not work.

Unfortunately, the 18- to 24-year-olds seem to have a different idea. I wonder if they are spending time watching too many work-related comedy shows. When you’re young your mind is impressionable and you get all sorts of ideas in your head. If you’re watching ‘The Office’, ‘Frazier’ and ‘Just Shoot Me’ you’re going to think a workplace is normally like that and when it isn’t, you’re going to be miserable for no reason other than your failed expectations. You’re going to be upset, depressed and irritated at the slightest thing and dread going into work because it might be a too austere environment where everyone is expected to just put their heads down and work. Then you’re likely to call in sick because you’re depressed.

It seems that thousands of 19- to 24-year-olds either constantly call in sick with mental health issues or demand extra workplace benefits which end up costing the employer more money. Either that or they resign, citing mental_b and begin claiming state benefits.

Most, if not all, mental health issues claimed by these young people are as a result of self-diagnosis brought on by watching YouTube videos and following TikTok influencers who are not medically trained at all. Most medical videos tell you that the video is for information purposes only and to see a professional for help.

But this piece of information seems to be overlooked.

The point is that these 18- to 24 year olds, who think they have a mental health issue, often do not but they cost the taxpayer, and other workers, money. When they resign, they begin to claim state benefits that are paid for by the taxpayer. Moreover, if they consistently call in sick, other workers pay for their absence by having to do their job as well as their own. If they’re not off-sick, employers are forced to give them special treatment, such as extra facilities, which affect bonuses and pay rises. That means other employees suffer financially.

There are people of all ages with real mental health issues brought on, not by the workplace, although it could contribute to it, but by external personal factors. These people are genuinely unwell but they diligently carry on working in order to make a living. For such individuals, special treatment is warranted because they try to make a contribution to the workplace, respect their jobs and are grateful for it. Unfortunately, the trend among the mental_b group may cause difficulties for those who are genuinely ill.