TELUS Health released its TELUS Mental Health Index with reports examining the mental health of employed people in New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Europe. The New Zealand report reveals that 40 per cent of workers in New Zealand have a high mental health risk as productivity losses mount. The Index also found that workers diagnosed with anxiety lose more than 68 working days of productivity per year, underscoring the economic impact of New Zealand’s declining mental health scores.
“The mental health of New Zealand’s workers has declined since April 2024. Toward this end, we see the most significant areas worsening are isolation, anxiety and work productivity,” said Julie Cressey, general manager New Zealand, TELUS Health.
“There are several factors that impact mental health and wellbeing, including physical health, social support, personal and situational factors and financial wellbeing. Comprehensive wellbeing programs present a vital opportunity for employers to offer meaningful support, equipping employees with resources that can improve mental health, boost productivity and drive stronger organisational performance,” she added.
The TELUS Mental Health Index also found:
- Anxiety is the biggest mental health challenge for workers in New Zealand.
- Younger workers (under 40) are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
- Workers without emergency savings are nearly three times more likely to report being diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
- One-third (33%) of workers having a mental health score of 50 or lower lose at least three and a half times more workdays in productivity than those with a score of 90 or higher.
- Workers who feel their employer gives poor support for physical well-being have mental health scores 16 points lower than those with excellent support and lose 24 more workdays each year.
“With mental health scores at an all-time low 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, at TELUS Health.
“Organisations can distinguish themselves significantly by focusing on meaningful support to employees. We know that mental health and well-being can improve or decline over time and that the support available makes a big difference in improvement. Employees are also increasingly looking to their employers for comprehensive support—whether financial, physical, or mental—all of which are essential to their overall well-being. Leveraging this is a great opportunity for employers to have a positive impact,” she stated.
In September 2024, the mental health scores of workers in various regions were:
- New Zealand: 59.7
- Singapore: 61.6
- Australia: 61.1
- Canada: 64.4
- United States: 70.6
- United Kingdom: 64.6
- Europe: 61.6
The TELUS Mental Health Index is based on a response scoring system that turns individual responses into point values. Higher point values are associated with better mental health and less mental health risk. Scores between 0 to 49 correspond with distress levels, scores between 50 to 79 correspond with strain levels and scores between 80 to 100 correspond with optimal levels of mental health.
