AXA publishes its annual Mind Health and Wellbeing Index study
The study looks at the current state of mental health and how it differs by age and gender around the world
The study identifies gaps in the current state of mental health, how individuals prioritise their own mental health, and highlights the need to raise awareness of preventative solutions.
Thirty-six per cent of people say the pandemic boosted their ability to deal with difficult situations. Yet only 44 per cent of those surveyed said they had felt happy or experienced joy in the past year.
Respondents who find themselves happiest are in China (57 per cent), Spain (50 per cent) and Switzerland (54 per cent), a high level compared to Japan (27 per cent), Italy (37 per cent) and France (39 per cent).
Public health and employer support is not perceived as adequate
When facing these challenges, only 37 per cent of participants think the public health system in their country provides adequate support – this is particularly notable in Italy (24 per cent) and UK (23 per cent) while respondents seem to have greater trust in China (65 per cent) and Switzerland (58 per cent).
Also 37 per cent of people feel their employer provides good support when it comes to mental health, with the lowest level in Japan (20 per cent) and Hong Kong (32 per cent). This shows a major role for companies and health care systems in improving prevention, support, and care around mind health and wellbeing.
AXA aims to have a positive impact on mental health
As such, AXA is taking concrete actions: the company announced the launch of the AXA Mind Health Index aiming to monitor progress made in mind health over time. The Index, tailored by country, will support individuals, businesses, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in their approach to mind health, to help them prevent illness, and promote wellbeing.
AXA CEO Europe and Latin America Antimo Perreta commented: “The cost of undiagnosed and poorly managed mental illnesses is colossal. As an international leader in health insurance, AXA wants to have a positive impact on mind health and wellbeing at scale to better prevent health issues.
“Through this study, we are proud to offer a holistic approach, focused on being a positive force for human progress by helping people to prevent and deal with problems early on, promoting their happiness and satisfaction, whilst protecting their emotional wellbeing.”