Research from TELUS Health finds that nearly half of workers in the country feel mentally or physically tired at the end of the working day.
By Maggie Mancini
TELUS Health has released its latest Mental Health Index with reports that examine the mental health of employed people in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The Australian report reveals that nearly half (47%) of workers in Australia feel mentally or physically exhausted at the end of the working day with too much work identified as the leading cause. The Index also finds that 30% of workers believe that AI will have a positive impact on the industry they work in.
“There is no question that AI’s advancement will bring significant benefits, potentially as pivotal as the industrial or internet age,” says Paula Allen, global leader of research and insights at TELUS Health. “Organisations can engage employees in this evolution by ensuring that AI tools and training are readily accessible to employees and enabling them to explore the technology firsthand so they can discover the ways it benefits them in their own work. As with any change, the best way to implement change is to engage people from the start, empowering them to grasp the possibilities and contribute valuable insights.”
The Mental Health Index also finds that 15% of workers are considering upgrading their skills with AI, and younger workers are more than three times as likely to consider enhancing their AI skills. Too much work is the leading cause of burnout (27%), followed by too many personal demands (20%), a lack of recognition (12%), and a lack of support for the work that they do (9%).
Nearly three in 10 workers are unsure or do not know where to go for professional help when faced with a mental health issue.
“Burnout and a lack of well-being are critical issues affecting our workforce today,” says Jamie MacLennan, senior vice president and managing director of APAC at TELUS Health. “Many employees, especially younger ones, are struggling with overwhelming workloads that leave them mentally and physically exhausted. This relentless stress not only impacts their mental health but also significantly reduces productivity. Moreover, there is a troubling lack of awareness and accessibility to mental health support, with many workers unsure where to seek help. Understanding the urgency of addressing these challenges, we are committed to providing robust support systems and resources for workplaces. By prioritising mental health and well-being, we aim to cultivate resilience and productivity within workplaces in Australia.”
TELUS finds that the mental health score of Australian workers is 62.5, compared to 60.6 in New Zealand, 62.9 in Singapore, 64.6 in the United Kingdom, 62 in Europe, 71 in the United States, and 64 in Canada.
