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Property industry facing mental health crisis during Covid, reveals poll

Research by Agents Together charity says nearly two-thirds of agents have reported mental health problems during pandemic.

Nigel Lewis

mental health

The estate agency is facing a mental health crisis during the Covid pandemic as 62% of agents report problems but only 16% says their employer has any help on offer, a report has highlighted.

Charity Agents together says its poll of agents and subsequent report also reveal that nearly 90% of estate agency employees agree that mental health support should be built into their company’s culture.

Other surprising figures from the report include that three quarters of agents admitted going to work when feeling mentally unwell and that 55% of staff didn’t reveal this due to a fear of judgement and stigma.

Also, 84% of those polled said they would like to receive more education on mental health in the workplace.

agents together“We believe this to be the first study of its kind in the sector, and the results will help to develop the initiatives of the Agents Together foundation and will be both insightful and at times surprising to business owners and decision-makers throughout the industry,” says Sarah Edmundson, CEO of Agents Together (pictured).

Mentoring

Her organisation, which was set up and is funded by Michael Bruce and his brother Kenny, says it has now arranged over 230 mentorships since it launched in June 2020, and has signed up 157 volunteer mentors as well as launching a website to support agents.

“The team have worked incredibly hard to get to this point and the success stories from the mentorships are truly humbling,” says Edmundson.

“Yet, as a group we are so passionate about the industry, its people and businesses that we are really moving forward now with the next phases of our help and support.”

Read the report in full.

Edmundson is also setting up a working group to spur action within the industry on mental health. To get involved, email her here.

January 25, 2021

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