A white paper jointly conducted by Aon and TELUS Health has revealed that employees across Asia are facing “significant mental health strain.” The report, based on the mental health status assessment of 13,000 individuals across 12 economies, highlighted that every location included in the study reported mental health strain, with an overall Asia Mental Health Index score of 62.4.
The study found that over 82% of respondents face a moderate to high risk of mental health issues. Among the markets surveyed, South Korea (44%), Malaysia (42%), and Japan (41%) showed the highest proportions of employees with a high mental health risk profile.
The negative impact of strained mental health is also reflected in workplace productivity, as 45% of respondents admitted that their mental health is adversely affecting their work productivity. The work productivity sub-score, labeled as “distressed,” received the lowest score of 47.2 in the report, indicating a significant financial risk for organizations.
To address the prevalent mental health challenges, the report emphasizes the importance of supportive initiatives for employees. Suggestions include the use of Employee Assistance Programs to aid employees facing personal challenges. Additionally, fostering engagement through company culture reviews and relevant employee value propositions can help mitigate the impact of mental health strain on workforce productivity.
As the report calls attention to the pressing need for mental health support, employers are urged to adopt strategies that align with the diverse needs of their workforce and contribute to a more supportive and engaged work environment.