Why brokers must keep the mental health conversation going
May 2026
Calling the past few months in the UK mortgage market “busy” would be an understatement.
Back in March, lenders pulled hundreds of mortgage products from the market. Since then, things have started to calm down. First time buyers are, starting to feel upbeat again, and the market feels more settled.
But we shouldn’t forget what came before.
During that uncertain time, brokers worked long hours to guide customers through fast‑changing conditions. They answered questions, explained options, and stayed calm under pressure.
That level of effort comes at a cost.
The toll on mental wellbeing
In 2025, the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) published its annual Mental Health & Wellbeing Survey. The results made tough reading.
- More than 1 in 5 mortgage professionals (22%) rated their mental health as poor or a cause for concern
- 59% worked more than 45 hours per week in 2025
- Almost a third (28.8%) said their work–life balance worsened in 2025.
Why brokers often stay quiet
Let’s be honest. Being a broker moves fast. When the market changes, it’s easy to keep your head down, power through, and act like everything’s fine.
That approach might feel practical, but it isn’t healthy. And it isn’t sustainable.
This is why the broker community needs to keep talking about mental health, openly and often. Mental Health Awareness Week gives us a clear chance to do just that.
The role brokers are playing today
We don’t say this often enough: brokers do much more than arrange mortgages.
Today, brokers:
- Help anxious first time buyers through a difficult process
- Support homeowners when they remortgage in a higher rate market
- Stay calm and steady when choices feel stressful and overwhelming.
For many people, the broker is the voice they trust most.
That trust gives the role real value. But it can also wear people down over time. That makes it all the more important that brokers can talk about their mental wellbeing in a public way.
Why talking matters
Of course, the industry has come a long way.
At Coventry Building Society, we’re proud to support the MIMHC which helps mortgage professionals look after their wellbeing.
The wider picture is encouraging.
- In 2025, 70% of mortgage professionals said their company took part in a mental health initiative
- This rose from 52% in 2024, showing real improvement.
People also speak more openly about mental health than they did in the past. That’s a good thing. But stigma still shows up when work gets busy, making it harder to speak up and ask for support. That needs to change.
Talking helps more than you think
Open conversations help more than we often expect.
The MIMHC survey shows that close personal relationships support mental health. In some cases, they help more than support offered at work alone.
Talking with a colleague, a friend you trust, or a family member can ease stress and help you feel less alone. These conversations help you make sense of pressure from clients, deadlines, and a changing market. They also help you get support early, before stress builds up.
Most of all, they remind you that help is there, even during the busiest periods.
Looking after yourself helps your clients
If there’s one message to take away, it’s this: self‑care isn’t separate from doing a good job. It’s part of it.
When you feel supported, you:
- Think more clearly
- Communicate better
- Make stronger decisions.
Your clients benefit too.
Keep it simple
Starting the conversation doesn’t need to feel big or awkward.
Small, simple actions work best. It could be a quick check‑in with yourself, having lunch with a colleague, or a short call at the end of the week.
These moments don’t need to be formal. They just need to be intentional.
Staying connected, at work and outside it, can make the busy times easier to manage. It’s a simple reminder that you’re not on your own. Which is sometimes all too easy to forget.
Looking ahead
The market won’t stand still.
In April, the Bank of England held rates at 3.75%. This confirms what many already know. We’re in a higher‑rate environment for now and for some clients, this is something they haven’t experienced before.
That means brokers will keep playing a vital role. Clients need clear, calm guidance. Brokers are best placed to give it.
Busy periods and tough moments will always come along. That’s why it’s so important to keep talking, especially when things feel hard.
Because when brokers feel supported, everyone benefits. That includes you, your clients, and the wider industry.
And that’s a conversation worth keeping alive.
