Singapore's workforce faces growing mental health crisis, threatening productivity and physical health

TELUS Health released its TELUS Mental Health Index (the "Index") with reports examining the mental health of employed people in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Europe. The Singapore report reveals that the country's workforce faces a growing mental health crisis, threatening both productivity and physical health. The Index also reveals sharp declines in mental health scores reversing two years of modest but steady improvement.

"As anxiety and isolation intensify, we also see financial insecurity across Singapore, all of which is impacting mental, physical and financial health," said Haider Amir, Director, Asia at TELUS Health. "This challenge also presents a powerful opportunity for employers. By prioritising comprehensive wellbeing programs and creating a supportive workplace culture, businesses can make a tangible difference in their employees' overall wellbeing. This holistic approach, which includes financial education and support, can alleviate stress, improve financial decision-making, and ultimately drive higher productivity and stronger organisational resilience."

The TELUS Mental Health Index also found:

• Nearly one-third of workers now score 50 or below on the mental health scale, indicating a concerning national trend.
• Workers without emergency savings are over three times more likely to report anxiety or depression diagnoses.
• Anxiety and depression is three times higher in younger age groups compared to their seniors.
• he Public Administration and Defence sectors show the lowest mental health scores in Singapore, dropping over six points.
• Highly motivated workers lose 54.2 productive days annually, compared to 75.4 days for those less interested in improving their wellbeing.
• Poor employer support for mental wellbeing nearly doubles productivity losses: 79.1 lost workdays in productivity lost annually versus 36.7 for those with excellent support.

"With low mental health scores nationwide, it's essential to understand the significant impact on productivity. A workforce that isn't thriving can't drive a business to its full potential," said Paula Allen, Global Leader, Research & Client Insights, TELUS Health. "As employees increasingly look to their employers for comprehensive support—whether financial, physical, or mental—all of which are essential to their overall wellbeing, employers have a strong opportunity to make a positive impact by leveraging this interest and providing strong programs."