TELUS Health’s latest TELUS Mental Health Index has revealed a concerning level of burnout among employed individuals in Singapore, with almost half (47%) reporting feeling mentally and physically exhausted at the end of their workday. The leading cause of this burnout is excessive workload.

The Index indicates that two-thirds of workers exhibit at least one sign of burnout. However, despite the availability of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) in many workplaces, TELUS Health’s research shows that 77% of workers are either unsure if their employer offers an EAP or confirm that their employer does not provide one. Workers without access to an EAP score at least three points lower on the mental health index compared to those who have EAP support.

In addition to these findings, the Index highlights that 61% of workers believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) will positively impact their industry, with nearly half considering upgrading their skills related to AI.

Haider Amir, Director for Asia at TELUS Health, commented on the findings: “I am encouraged by the growing optimism around AI’s potential to positively impact the workplace. However, the high levels of burnout among workers underscore the urgent need for employers to prioritize mental health support.”

Key findings from the TELUS Mental Health Index include:

• Workers under 40 are nearly twice as likely as those over 50 to struggle with motivation.
• Managers and younger workers are 50% more likely than non-managers and older workers to consider upgrading their AI-related skills.
• Two-thirds of workers believe AI will positively impact healthcare.

TELUS is a leader in integrating AI across its operations, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning. By encouraging its team members to adopt and experiment with internal AI tools, TELUS aims to create a skilled, AI-enabled workforce.

Paula Allen, Global Leader of Research & Client Insights at TELUS Health, emphasized the transformative potential of AI: “AI’s advancement will bring significant benefits, potentially as pivotal as the industrial or internet age. Engaging employees from the start is crucial to implementing AI successfully, allowing them to explore and benefit from the technology firsthand.”

The TELUS Mental Health Index uses a response scoring system to measure mental health, with scores ranging from 0 to 100. Scores between 0 to 49 indicate distress levels, 50 to 79 indicate strain levels, and 80 to 100 indicate optimal mental health.