TELUS Health released its TELUS Mental Health Index with reports that examine the mental health of employed people in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Europe. The Australian report reveals that the mental health of workers in Australia has hit a four-year low, costing businesses up to 69 workdays of productivity annually per employee. The Index also found that younger workers and those without savings face the highest mental health risks, while strong employer support can halve productivity losses.
“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. 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. As employees increasingly look to their employers for comprehensive support—whether financial, physical, or mental—all of which are essential to their overall well-being- the opportunity for employers to make a meaningful impact with the services they offer, increases,” said Paula Allen, global leader, Research & Client Insights, at TELUS Health.
The TELUS Mental Health Index also found:
- Anxiety and isolation are the biggest mental health challenges for workers in Australia.
- Workers in Public Administration (68.4), Wholesale Trade (66.5) and Technology (65.2) have the highest mental health scores compared to other sectors.
- Younger workers (under 40) are more than twice as likely as workers over 50 to report being diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
- Workers without emergency savings are three times more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression, with mental health scores 30 points lower than those with savings.
- Workers rating their employer’s physical well-being support as excellent have better mental health and lose fewer workdays compared to those rating it poorly.
“The mental health challenges facing workers in Australia, particularly among younger employees and those without financial safety nets, are concerning. It’s clear that isolation, anxiety and economic pressures are taking a toll,” said Jamie MacLennan, senior vice-president and managing director of APAC, TELUS Health.
“However, our findings also reveal a significant opportunity for employers. By investing in robust programs addressing physical, mental as well as financial wellbeing, and fostering a supportive work environment, businesses can not only improve their employees’ mental health but also substantially boost productivity and overall organisational performance,” added MacLennan.
In September 2024, the mental health scores of workers in various regions were:
- Australia: 61.1
- New Zealand: 59.7
- Singapore: 61.6
- United Kingdom: 70.6
- Europe: 61.6
- United States: 70.6
- Canada: 64.4
The TELUS Mental Health Index is based on a response scoring system that then 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.
