Tackling workforce mental well-being in Hong Kong

In support of Mental Health Month, Aetna Hong Kong recently partnered with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham HK), Hong Kong, to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace. The event — Mental Health in the Workplace: Why Companies Should Actively Support Their Employees’ Mental Health and Wellbeing — played host to more than 40 employers from some of Hong Kong’s leading companies.

With one in six Hong Kong residents suffering from a diagnosable mental health illness, there is an emerging effort across the city to raise awareness of mental health and to implement strategies to overcome the stigma associated with mental illness. 

As one recent City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA) survey found, one in three professionals surveyed in the city reported poor mental health. More than a third did not feel comfortable talking about their mental health struggles at work, and only 6 percent found their employers had sufficient resources to support workers in dealing with their problems. 

Left to right: Katie Potter, Head of Wellness, Goldman Sachs APAC; Helen Colquhoun, Partner at DLA Piper; Hannah Reidy, CEO of Mind Hong Kong; Emma Kenyon, Senior Business Development Manager at Aetna Hong Kong; Anne LeBourgeois, Partner at Hamilton Advisors.

A heavy workload, company policies requiring employees to be physically present at work and a lack of openness about mental health in the workplace were cited by CMHA survey respondents as the key contributing factors to the widespread nature of mental health illness in the city.

The AmCham forum brought together mental wellness advocates and experts to discuss the important role employers play in supporting the holistic health and wellness of their employees. The panel, moderated by Emma Kenyon, Senior Business Development Manager at Aetna Hong Kong, included Dr. Hannah Reidy, CEO of Mind Hong Kong; Helen Colquhoun, Partner at DLA Piper; and, Katie Potter, Head of Wellness, Goldman Sachs APAC.

The panel delivered insights on strategies that have been successfully implemented by companies in Hong Kong, and the value in developing mental health and wellness programs for employees. Common themes included the importance of training staff on mental health, obtaining enthusiastic buy-in from senior leadership, and developing Key Performance Indicators to measure progress over time.

The attendance numbers and high level of engagement at the event is a testament to employers’ shared resolve to address the issue at a corporate level across Hong Kong.  Employers are increasingly aware of the important role they play in the well-being and mental health of their employees.

Emma Kenyon said, “Employees in Hong Kong, who operate in a high-pressure environment with long working hours, potentially apart from their family and friends, may be particularly susceptible to developing depression, anxiety and other serious mental health issues.

“At Aetna, we believe that one of the best ways employers can support their people is to nurture a culture of openness and two-way communication. Providing training for mid-management is incredibly important as they can possible play a big a role in helping and identifying and supporting employees with mental health situations. Having employee support services in place is also essential to ensure employees can access the services they need when they need it.”

For further information on the employee assistance services available to employees, please contact your regional sales or account manager.

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