Three in 10 SG employees face sharp mental health decline: Report

Anxiety and depression are three times higher in younger age groups.

Nearly one-third (31%) of Singaporean workers now score 50 or below on the mental health scale, indicating a concerning national trend, according to a report by Telus.

The productivity loss of this group is nearly three times the number of lost workdays as 8% of workers with a mental health score of at least 90, the report noted. 

The report, which surveyed 1,000 people online between 13 and 26 September, categorized those who scored 0-49 as "Distressed," while those who scored 50-79 and 80-100 were employees whose mental health is considered "Strained" and "Optimal," respectively.

Telus also found that employees without emergency savings are over three times more likely to report anxiety or depression diagnoses.

As such, anxiety and depression are three times higher in younger age groups compared to their seniors.

“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 for TELUS Health in Asia.

The Public Administration and Defence sectors showed the lowest mental health scores in Singapore, dropping over six points.

Moreover, highly motivated workers lose 54.2 productive days annually, compared to 75.4 days for those less interested in improving their well-being.

Furthermore, poor employer support for mental well-being nearly doubles productivity losses to 79.1 lost workdays annually versus 36.7 for those with excellent support.

“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,” Amir said.