A Legal & General survey at its second Not A Red Card Forum has found that 77% of attendees have experienced poor mental health which has affected their performance at work.

However, 59% said they would talk to a colleague if they were worried about the state of their mental health, up 8% from last year when delegates were asked the same question.

This year, broadcaster and presenter Gabby Logan led the debate hosting a panel of speakers from across industry and sport plus a number of experts in the field of mental health including Rob Stephenson, the founder of the mental health initiative Inside-Out; David Pinchin, the founder of Leadership Through Sport and Business, Sue Baker OBE, director, Time to Change as well as Nigel Wilson, CEO at Legal & General.

89% of those surveyed at the Forum reported having a work culture that allows a healthy work life balance and opportunities for development, with 93% knowing how to access tools, support and information about mental health within their firm.

Wilson said: “The statistics from our latest Not A Red Card Forum are very telling, as they prove that that attitudes towards mental health are beginning to change. However, there is still some way to go, and it is up to business leaders to lead from the front.

“With 72% identifying that the stigma surrounding mental health is still the main barrier why employees are more likely to talk more about their physical health, it is vital that we continue to encourage open discussion of these issues and promote active listening in order to create an environment of mutual support where our people feel they can ask for help and support.

“Our shared objective is to proactively change attitudes to mental health by demonstrating that speaking out is not a red card offence. It is only through people sharing their experience and the benefit of the support they received that we can develop solutions.”