HONG KONG (UCAN): The Hong Kong Christian Service [HKCS] and its subsidiary, Four Dimensions Consulting Limited [FDCL], urged the government to offer subsidies to train mental health first-aiders after a survey revealed that more than half of the employees in the region face poor mental and physical health.
About 58.3 per cent of 627 individuals in Hong Kong have faced various forms of poor mental and physical health, according to the survey, Hong Kong Employees Physical and Mental Health Survey, conducted from 2011 to 2022, according to a press release dated June 20.
Some 38.8 per cent of respondents experienced “very high work stress” and 19.5 per cent had “considered suicide or self-harm”.
The survey revealed that around 38.8 per cent of respondents experienced “very high work stress” and 19.5 per cent had “considered suicide or self-harm” bringing the total to 58.3 per cent.
The survey participants are beneficiaries of the Employee Assistance Programme [EAP], a joint undertaking run by HKCS and FDCL offering physical and mental health services to employees.
The survey revealed that around 38.8 per cent of respondents experienced ‘very high work stress’ and 19.5 per cent had ‘considered suicide or self-harm’ bringing the total to 58.3 per cent
The HKCS said the well being of Hong Kong employees was worse than international levels.
Before joining the EAP, 77.8 per cent of employees reported being “distracted at work”, which was about 20 per cent higher than the international average, the survey found. About 49.0 per cent felt “unable to commit to work” and 48.4 per cent were “dissatisfied with life”, both about 20 per cent and 10 per cent higher than the international average respectively.
“It [physical and mental health] is particularly significant amongst employees when different life and work challenges impose notable impact on their work performance and overall well-being,” the group said in the statement.
The group cited the case of Chan [a pseudonym], a 50-year-old worker in the finance industry who suffered from “high stress and emotional breakdown due to excessive workload.”
In 2022, Chan enrolled himself in the EAP scheme which provided him with a mental health counsellor who helped him overcome crying spells, insomnia, poor appetite, and contemplation of suicide.
Employers should organise Mental Health First Aid training and set the ratio of Mental Health First Aiders based on job types, company size, and employee characteristics
After six months of professional counselling Chan “had made major progress in recognising and managing his negative emotions,” the group said.
Based on the survey results, Four Dimensions suggested the implementation of three key activities to improve the situation through the efforts of the government, employers, and employees.
The government should provide subsidies to small and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs] to implement EAP while mandating employers to provide insurance for their employees and encourage employer participation in the programme, it suggested.
“Financial support should be provided to SMEs to provide relevant services to their employees and promote recognition in staffs’ mental health,” the group said.
It recommended employers train staff as Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace.
“Employers should organise Mental Health First Aid training and set the ratio of Mental Health First Aiders based on job types, company size, and employee characteristics,” said the group, founded in 1952.
“This allows early identification and support for employees experiencing mental distress,” the group further added.
The group advised employers to review staff’s working hours, workload, and relationships between colleagues regularly “to promote a culture of care and create a positive and mentally healthy working environment.”
The group also suggested equipping the employees with knowledge and ways to improve physical and mental well being.
“Employees are encouraged to learn stress management to improve their physical and mental well-being, including a five-step approach to stress reduction. In addition, awareness and understanding of mental health should be raised,” the group said.
