Letters | Is Hong Kong business doing enough to support workers’ mental health?
- Readers discuss what companies can do to address mental health challenges, the unintended consequences of technological advances, and undeserved praise for the late Henry Kissinger
It isn’t just the government that should seek new ways to deal with this issue – it’s Hong Kong’s corporates too. Human resources teams have historically dealt with mental health issues by offering employee assistance programmes (EAPs): outsourced telephone services that connect employees with mental health professionals.
However, these are sparsely used by employees, who fear their lack of independence and suspect that any information may be passed straight back to management.
Progressive employers are already looking beyond this and are providing their employees with access to digital health platforms. At MixCare Health, we work with some of Hong Kong’s largest employers and insurers to connect users with individual health and well-being services.
According to data from our platform and our partners, we have seen inquiries about mental health services increasing over time, with higher demand around peak work periods such as fiscal year-end. Of those seeking help with stress and other mental health issues, 30 per cent are aged between 24 and 35, while 25 per cent of users are between 35 and 44.