KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 23): The mental health of Malaysians improved in 2023 compared to the year before that, but there is still much progress to be made in addressing issues related to work culture and financial security which continue to weigh on the masses, found Naluri, a homegrown digital health service provider, in its “Growing Insights: Southeast Asia's Largest Dataset 2023” study.

According to the results published in the third edition of the study, levels of depression dropped to 55% in 2023 from 58% in 2022, while anxiety came in at 53% last year from 55% the year before. Stress levels dipped slightly to 39% from 40% in 2022.

However, despite the improvements, there are prevailing issues that need to be addressed. It noted that the “hostile work environment” in the country is one of the reasons for mental unrest — a factor that is common across Southeast Asia, it stated.

“The country’s economic positioning has forced numerous businesses to re-scale or downsize, leaving existing employees overburdened and many active adults with no source of income.

“Feedback from our respondents stated that the escalations in this negative environment have caused an ‘eat or be eaten’ type of job environment.

“However, the need to hold on to a job was overriding the desire for work-life balance, resulting in fractured relationships in their personal lives,” it added.

A more holistic approach to management and care by employers might be able to significantly reduce the levels of stress, anxiety and depression in the Malaysian populace, yielding even better results in 2024, it concluded.

Over 56,000 participants across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines participated in the study conducted using a mixed-method approach that utilised the DASS-21 assessment for quantitative analysis and qualitative insights. DASS-21 or Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items, is a self-report scale designed to measure emotional states.

The main objective of the study is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, encouraging early intervention and bolstering community support.

“Three years post-pandemic, overall concerns related to Covid-19 are diminishing among Southeast Asians. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that the pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, particularly in the workplace.

“This is why tools like Naluri’s Mental Health Assessment, which uses the DASS-21 assessment to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress, are so essential. By prioritising our mental health and wellbeing, we can work towards a more balanced and fulfilling life, both during and post-pandemic,” it said.

The results showed that many countries in Southeast Asia are dealing with poor mental health to varying degrees, although there has been much improvement in 2023 compared to previous years.

Poor work culture and environment, increased workload and decreased job and financial security are some factors that continue to affect all the countries that participated in the survey.