Mental Health Struggles Escalate Among Workers: Insights from a New Global Study
The rising tide of mental health issues among workers globally has reached alarming levels, according to a recent study conducted by AXA in collaboration with IPSOS. Survey data from 16 countries, including Thailand, reveal a troubling status quo where stress, anxiety, and burnout are becoming increasingly common in the workforce. This situation not only affects individual well-being but also impacts productivity and organizational health on a large scale.
The study finds that one in three individuals surveyed across countries such as Belgium, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States are grappling with at least one mental health condition. Depression and anxiety, the most cited afflictions, show no signs of diminishing, a challenge exacerbated by factors like financial instability, job insecurity, and a pervasive onslaught of negative news. The implications are far-reaching, as climate change and digital threats contribute to a pervasive sense of vulnerability—what CEOs like Patrick Cohen of AXA call “eco-anxiety”—further amplifying stress levels.