Failure to address mental health concerns within organizations could lead to substantial costs stemming from a disengaged workforce, as a rising number of employees across Asia face an escalating risk of mental health issues, with adverse consequences for workplace productivity.
According to the inaugural Aon TELUS Health Asia Mental Health Index report, a staggering 82% of Asian employees are exposed to either a high (35%) or moderate (47%) risk of mental health challenges. The report identifies stress, anxiety, and burnout as primary drivers behind diminished productivity, with 45% of survey participants reporting that their mental health is detrimentally affecting their job performance.
Comparing the findings to the previous year, over 51% of employees admitted to being more susceptible to stress, 33% struggled to concentrate on their tasks, and 47% frequently ended their workday feeling mentally and/or physically drained.
Barriers such as cost, lack of information, and the stigma linked to mental health issues continue to hinder their resolution. Alarmingly, 54% of respondents harbor concerns that disclosure of their mental health issues to their employers could impede their career advancement.
Tim Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer of Health Solutions, Asia Pacific, at Aon, urges organizations to address these apprehensions and establish support mechanisms. He emphasized, “Supporting employees’ wellbeing is essential for organizations to sustain high levels of engagement and productivity, ensuring a measurable return on investment. Consequently, organizations must confront these mental health challenges directly while crafting an integrated strategy founded on data and insights.”
The Aon TELUS Health Asia Mental Health Index report, conducted in November 2022, encompassed input from 13,000 employees across China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
