Singaporeans identify mental health as an important facet of holistic wellness and the lack of resources or support for mental wellness in Singapore is a nod to it being a key priority on the government’s national agenda and an opportunity for companies to do more.

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 September 2024 – AIA Singapore today unveiled findings of the AIA Live Better Study 2024[1] which revealed that Singapore consumers' overall wellbeing has not shown improvement compared to last year, scoring 61.5 on the Holistic Wellness Index in 2024. Into its second year, the AIA Live Better Study investigates the current state of wellness, goal-setting behaviour, commitment, level of challenge within each key facet of wellness. Designed and formulated by AIA Singapore, the Holistic Wellness Index is founded on the premise that Singapore consumers' perspectives towards happiness in life is multi-faceted and spans physical, financial, mental, social and spiritual aspects which help them to live Healthier, Longer, Better lives. "At AIA Singapore, we understand that holistic wellness is a journey, not a destination. It's about nurturing a holistic approach to well-being — physical, mental, financial, social and spiritual. In Singapore, the challenges of an imperfect state of wellness are reflected in the daily struggles faced by many, from managing stress to grappling with the rising cost of living[2]. These pressures affect not just individual well-being but the broader happiness index[3] of our nation," said Irma Hadikusuma, Chief Marketing and Proposition Officer, AIA Singapore "This is why, we developed AIA Health360, your partner in holistic wellness which provides a comprehensive suite of solutions curated to help you achieve your desired lifestyle at all life stages," she added. Mental wellness was identified amongst Singapore consumers as an important aspect of wellness across the five facets with approximately 1 in 2 (51%) Singapore consumers, indicating that they prioritise mental wellness more now compared to before the pandemic. Critically, 3 in 5 (59%) believe that they need or might need more resources or support for mental wellness with affordability (66%), accessibility (53%) and presence of workplace initiatives (51%) identified as key resources or support that would be helpful to address mental health challenges in Singapore. As the government is putting in place more initiatives to address mental health issues[4] in Singapore, there is also an opportunity for the private sector to do more. AIA Singapore has been leading the charge since 2019 as the first insurer in Singapore to cover mental health in the AIA Beyond Critical Care insurance plan, offering mental health benefits for employees of corporate clients, and partnering with WhiteCoat to launch Think Well, the region's first end-to-end digital mental health solution. More concerted effort by all parties needed to support mental wellbeing in Singapore Approximately 6 in 10 (58%) Singapore consumers feel that there is stigma towards mental health, and this is most significantly amongst Gen Zs (73%). There is also a critical need for Singapore consumers to seek help to address mental health challenges, instead of trying to deal with it on their own. While approximately 2 in 5 (37%) Singapore consumers with mental health challenges feel that they can cope on their own, 2 in 5 (42%) cites high costs to be a main barrier stopping them from seeking professional help, and 3 in 10 (32%) think that their mental health does not require professional support[5]. Changing consumer perception to overcome the stigma Singapore consumers have towards mental health may be the key to encouraging them to seek professional help. Teleconsultation offers a promising alternative for mental health services in Singapore. Approximately half of Singapore consumers (47%) expressed a high likelihood of seeking mental health help through teleconsultation, citing convenience (45%), quick and easy access to support during times of crisis or urgent need (40%), and flexibility in scheduling appointments (37%) as benefits of mental teleconsultation services. AIA Singapore's Think Well programme, in partnership with WhiteCoat embeds mental health support within all of AIA's corporate outpatient plans, increasing access to mental health support systems through text, video or in-person consultations. Discerning gap between financial goals and tangible steps taken to achieve goals In 2024, there is muted optimism among Singapore consumers when it comes to the nation's economy, with approximately 6 in 10 (58%) indicating that 'financial readiness in the long run' is more important to them as compared to last year. While Singapore consumers have financial goals set, close to 70% are struggling to achieve financial wellness. More commitment in dedicating time and effort could be taken to help achieve financial wellness, given that only 1 in...