Mental health in the workplace, and why Hong Kong lags behind in its support of staff
More than one in three professionals surveyed in city report symptoms of poor mental health. Most still go to work and nearly all say employers lack the resources to help them
A survey of Hong Kong professionals’ well-being has found mental health issues are widespread and most think employers lack adequate resources to help staff cope. Not only that, but employees battling mental health problems continue to work.
“A lot of the walking wounded are still out there at their desk,” says Dr Barry Connell, a psychiatrist who has been working in the UK and Hong Kong for more than 30 years.
Of 394 employees at 11 professional services firms in Hong Kong surveyed by the City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA), 35 per cent said they had experienced symptoms of poor mental health in the workplace. Of these, nearly a quarter said they are dealing with such struggles in their current job. Respondents noted symptoms such as low energy (50 per cent), feeling mentally drained (41 per cent), difficulty sleeping (39 per cent) and feeling depressed (24 per cent).
Of those who had experienced mental health issues at work, 76 per cent said they would still go to the office. Based on anecdotal evidence, researchers cite several reasons for this, including: having a heavy workload and a sense of responsibility; being physically present in accordance with company policies, and; an unwillingness to discuss mental health issues with superiors.
Of these respondents, 21 per cent admitted their work suffered at least once a month as they were not operating at the level expected.
Colleagues who see you every day are the best placed people to tell if your behaviour is out of character