BrioHR, Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing end-to-end HR platform, is urging all employers in the region to prioritise the mental health and well-being of their employees in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month this May. This comes in response to the concerning findings of Naluri’s State of Employee Mental Health and Well-being in Southeast Asia 2022 report.
According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the mental health of workers in Southeast Asia, with over half (53.4%) of the respondents reporting symptoms of severe and extremely severe depression, 53.1% reporting symptoms of severe and extremely severe anxiety, and 40.4% reporting symptoms of severe and extremely severe stress. These figures indicate a worrying trend of declining mental health among employees in Southeast Asia.
The report also highlights the prevalence of burnout among employees, with 60% of workers in Southeast Asia experiencing severe or extremely severe symptoms of burnout. Toxic workplace behaviour was cited as the leading cause of burnout, with 70% of employees reporting this as a contributing factor. If left untreated, 42% of employees will leave their jobs due to burnout. The industries most affected by burnout include administration and office support, education and training, call centres and customer service, as well as the healthcare and medical industries.
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“The findings of this report are alarming and demonstrate the urgent need for employers to prioritise employee mental health and well-being. It is critical to create a culture of support and compassion in the workplace, which includes access to resources and support to address these issues. We must recognise that mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall health, and we must act accordingly,” said Naluri CEO Azran Osman-Rani.
“The mental health crisis in Southeast Asia is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Employers have a critical role to play in supporting the mental health and well-being of their employees,” said Benjamin Croc, CEO and co-founder of BrioHR. “It is crucial for employers to take proactive measures to address this issue, not just for the well-being of their employees but also for the long-term health of their businesses.”
To address the findings of the survey, BrioHR and Naluri recommend that employers prioritise mental health and well-being in the workplace, address toxic workplace behaviour, and promote open communication. Employers should create a supportive and safe work environment that promotes work-life balance, offers employee assistance programmes, and provides access to mental health resources. They should also identify and address toxic workplace behaviours such as bullying, harassment, and discrimination and provide training for managers on how to support employees experiencing mental health issues.
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“By creating a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns with their managers and colleagues, employers can reduce the stigma around mental health and encourage employees to seek help when needed,” added Croc. Osman-Rani also adds that, “Employers who have nurtured health and well-being in their organisations have seen upwards of 5x return on investment from reduced sick leave and medical claims, and improved productivity”.
The report highlights the need for employers to take proactive measures to support the mental health and well-being of their employees and for governments and other stakeholders to prioritise this issue in their policies and programmes. Croc explained, “Whatever measures that employers take to support employees’ mental health also needs to take into account actual employee needs. That’s why employers need to listen to their workforce to tailor their mental health support programmes instead of attempting a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy. Measures like regular performance check-ins and pulse surveys, such as that offered by BrioHR, are crucial towards creating a better workplace.”
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