Work arrangement changes impacting mental wellness in Singapore: report
The impact of work arrangement changes on mental wellness is prompting more Singaporeans to prioritise their mental health moreseo than before the pandemic, according to a new report.
The AIA Live Better Study 2024, which polled 500 individuals, discovered that 51% of Singaporeans are now putting a greater premium on their mental wellness than they did before the pandemic.
The top reason is uncertainty about the future, as cited by 40% of the respondents. More than a third (34%) of Singaporeans also said this was because of changes to work arrangements affecting their mental wellness.
Other reasons that they cited include:
- Greater awareness of the importance of mental wellness (40%)
- Increased stress or anxiety (35%)
- Changes in financial or economic circumstances affecting their mental wellness (30%)
The findings come in the wake of spreading office-return mandates from employers across the world, including Amazon. The firm recently ordered its employees to return to workplaces starting in January 2025, which will also impact more than 2,000 workers across its business units in Singapore, Channel News Asia reported.
Initiatives for mental wellness needed
As more employees put a greater premium on mental health, the AIA report found that 59% think they might need more resources for support for mental wellness.
Among the key resources for support that they cited to address mental health challenges in Singapore is the presence of workplace initiatives, according to the report.
Other key resources that Singaporeans cited include affordability (66%) and accessibility (53%) of support.
In 2024, Singapore's Holistic Wellness Index is at 61.5, indicating that overall wellbeing "has not shown an improvement compared to last year."
"Holistic wellness is a journey, not a destination. It's about nurturing a holistic approach to well-being — physical, mental, financial, social and spiritual," said Irma Hadikusuma, Chief Marketing and Proposition Officer, AIA Singapore, in a statement.
"In Singapore, the challenges of an imperfect state of wellness are reflected in the daily struggles faced by many, from managing stress to grappling with the rising cost of living. These pressures affect not just individual wellbeing but the broader happiness index of our nation."
