At Intellect, what started as a B2C self-care app had evolved into physical clinics and an established Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), impacting the lives of over 4 million members across 100 countries.

With a deep understanding of what works—shaped by rigorous research and real-world experience—we are now broadening and deepening our offerings to better serve individuals, employers, and healthcare providers. We’re thrilled to announce Intellect Consulting, Specialised Care, and Holistic Healthcare.  

1. Intellect Consulting: Building Lasting Cultural Change for Companies

Rolling out an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) isn’t the end of your workplace wellbeing journey—it’s just the beginning of cultural transformation. Now that you’ve planted a seed, how do you provide the perfect conditions for it to grow? 

That’s where our Organisation Wellbeing Consulting services come in. We don’t just talk about what’s wrong—we team up with you to fix it. From identifying issues to implementing effective interventions and measuring results, we’re with you every step of the way to drive change from within. Only then can we resolve the root issues and create change that sticks.

Our expertise covers:

• Workplace Wellbeing Diagnostics – Uncover key insights to inform your strategy.
• Employee Engagement – Foster meaning, connection, and productivity.
• Wellbeing-Centric Leadership – Equip leaders to champion wellbeing.
• Cultural Transformation – Build psychological safety and inclusivity.
• Wellbeing Strategy Development – Align wellbeing with business goals.

When partnering with Intellect, you gain access to best employer practices, honed across hundreds of organisations but tailored specifically to yours. For example, to address diverse workforce needs, we’ve developed an enhanced suite of Workplace Specialised Programmes focused on both professional development and personal growth. They support employees through specific life transitions, including:

• New Horizons: Navigating the Early Years of Your Career
• Parental Transition: A Guide to Work-Life Harmony
• Caring for the Caregivers: Renewal Strategies for Sustainable Support

By integrating these top-down and bottom-up approaches, you can nurture your initial investment into lasting change. Because benefits aren’t enough—the right culture matters. 

Learn more about Intellect Consulting for employers here.

2. Intellect Specialised Care: Ensuring Accuracy for Individuals with Specific Diagnoses

Most of us wouldn’t consult a general practitioner for a skin condition; we’d see a dermatologist. Yet in mental healthcare, mental health diagnoses are often met with generalised support rather than targeted expertise—a gap we strive to bridge with Intellect Specialised Care.

While broad-spectrum, low-intensity support is essential in the mental health ecosystem, higher acuity conditions (e.g. neurodevelopmental disorders) require depth—not breadth—of expertise. At Intellect, clients are assured of gold-standard assessments, diagnostic models, and treatments that are globally recognised, empowering them to move forward with clarity and confidence. 

Likewise, families and children facing emotional, behavioural, and interpersonal challenges will be connected with experienced clinicians. In couples or family counselling, they offer guidance through key life transitions, including marriage, pregnancy, parenting, and divorce. 

It’s not just individuals who benefit. For organisations, Intellect Specialised Care offers a comprehensive Return to Work (RTW) programme to ease employees back into the workplace after a mental health-related absence. Through tailored assessments, targeted interventions, and managerial guidance, our RTW programme creates a smoother, more supportive reintegration process for both employers and employees.

Because reaching out isn’t enough—the right approach matters.

Learn more about Intellect Specialised Care for individuals and organisations here.

3. Intellect Holistic Healthcare: Unifying Mental and Physical Care Pathways for Healthcare Providers

Did you know that psychological factors like stress, anxiety, and depression drive up to 70% of doctor visits? Despite the well-established mind-body connection, traditional healthcare models continue treating physical and mental health as separate domains.

Intellect Holistic Healthcare addresses this disconnect by integrating mental health support into physical healthcare journeys. Building on our proven track record of mental health outcomes, we partner with healthcare payers, insurers, providers, and hospitals to design comprehensive care pathways addressing both emotional and medical needs.

This integration transforms healthcare experiences:

• Fertility Journeys: Couples receive reproductive health interventions alongside counselling to navigate the emotional challenges of conception
• Parenthood Journeys: New mothers at risk of prenatal depression access gynecological care complemented by psychotherapy
• Chronic Disease Management: Oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy receive concurrent psychiatric support to stabilise mood and optimise treatment response

This holistic approach to patient and employee care enhances recovery outcomes, builds resilience, and improves quality of life—because total wellbeing matters.

Learn more about Intellect Holistic Healthcare for healthcare providers and payers here.

How we get there matters

As the demand for mental healthcare soars, the supply has similarly expanded. But availability alone isn’t sufficient—your peace of mind matters.

At Intellect, we are raising the bar as a reliable provider, pioneering ethical and effective practices for individuals, employers, and healthcare providers.

Join us in redefining what quality care looks like—not with quick fixes but with enduring support. Not just access, but unwavering assurance.

Book a demo today.

The DSM-5 marks two primary challenges in individuals with ASD: social communication and interaction across various contexts, and restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities. ASD is a spectrum, meaning individuals can have different levels of severity, from Level 1 (requiring minimal support) to Level 3 (requiring substantial support). In today’s article, we are primarily focusing on those at Level 1.

How ASD manifests in a romantic relationship

Brian*, a high-functioning client with autism, blurted out a random question in one of our sessions: “Have you ever watched Attack on Titan?” 

Not knowing where he’s going with this, I asked, “Why?” 

He continued, “There’s this character, Eren Yeager. He’s learning to use these flying devices, but he kept bouncing off walls. Then later he discovered that his belt was broken.”

He paused, seeing my confusion, “That’s how I feel sometimes. I can’t understand why certain things can seem so easy and obvious to others while not making any sense to me. It’s like my belt is broken but I can’t even see.” 

This metaphor hit me hard. Brian is certainly not alone in this. Individuals with Level 1 ASD may not have significant issues with holding jobs or basic social interactions, but they can still encounter unique problems in interpersonal contexts, such as romantic relationships. 

Below are some of the common challenges that a partner with autism may face.

1. Social Communication and Social Interaction

a. Difficulty Understanding Subtexts

It’s not an exaggeration that reading between the lines can feel like solving puzzles for a partner with autism. Brian shares about a recent conflict with his wife:

“I asked her if I could hang out with my friends, and she responded, ‘Sure, why not?’ So I went. But then I got an angry message on my way, ‘How could you leave me home alone on Valentine’s Day?’ If she wanted to spend time together, why couldn’t she just say that?” 

It’s not just sarcasm that a partner with autism struggle with. Harmless playfulness may be lost on them, too.

“Reading tones is like climbing the Himalayas to me,” Brian said. “I can’t tell if people are just joking or if they’re really upset.”

For example, when his wife jokingly says, “Oh no, you finished all the snacks!”, he would start to feel anxious and wonder: “is she mad at me?” This difficulty in “reading tones” can create emotional distress, making him withdraw from those interactions.

And then there’s flirtation—a style of communication loaded with subtext—that doesn’t always go smoothly. One summer night, Brian’s wife was in a playful mood and teased him: ‘Hey, honey, don’t you feel hot in here? How about taking a nice shower together?’

Brian, with complete earnestness, responded, “Oh, I already did. Do you want to turn on the AC?”

As you can imagine, his lack of responsiveness to flirtation can make his wife feel hurt, unwanted, and underappreciated.

b. The “Straight Shooter” Problem

Individuals with ASD are often recognised for their direct and blunt communication style. This so-called “lack of a social filter” can be particularly striking in romantic relationships, where partners typically expect more sensitivity and gentleness.

Brian shared a great example: “She texted me asking if I wanted to go on a shopping date, and I answered ‘No’. She was so upset. Later, she told me it wasn’t about what I said, but how I said it so bluntly without any emotional cushion.”

As Brian put it, didn’t realise he had to sugar-coat his response. To him, he was simply answering a yes-or-no question honestly. But to his wife, his response can come across as cold or uncaring.

c. Limited Social‐Emotional Reciprocity

One misconception about individuals with ASD is that they don’t feel emotions or lack empathy. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Although their means of expression are more reserved, they experience emotions just like anyone else. 

Brian recounted instances in his early dating experiences where his dates were unsure if he was having a good time because he didn’t say much. To this day, his wife occasionally asks, “Did you enjoy our movie night? I couldn’t tell if you liked it because you didn’t show anything.” 

Although they don’t mean a lack of feeling, the absence of emotional displays can still leave their partners guessing, feeling confused and even disconnected.

2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities

a. Preoccupations with Objects or Topics

It was the week after Comic-Con when Brian came to our session. Just as I would with any client, I started our session by following up on something he shared the week before:

“So, I know you went to Comic-Con this past weekend. How was it?”

Now, most clients would recognise this to be a conversation starter, give a quick update, and then get down to business. But the moment Brian heard my question, his eyes lit up and he launched into a passionate sharing. In that moment, you’d never guess he had ever struggled with making conversation.

The passion that individuals with ASD bring to their hobbies and interests can be immense. While it’s not necessarily a bad thing, this intensity can overshadow other aspects of their lives. Brian, for instance, plans his entire year around anime conventions, leaving little time for shared experiences with his wife, like taking spontaneous trips abroad.

“My wife complains about feeling like a secondary priority and having to compete with conventions for my attention,” he admits.

b. Routine and Resistance to Change

Disruptions to one’s routine can be challenging for some of us. But for individuals with ASD, even small changes can be overwhelming. When Brian’s office was being renovated for two months, he compared the experience to a game of Jenga: “It was all stable and nicely balanced, but suddenly, one piece was moved. Yes, it has returned to its balance for now, but how would I know when it’s gonna wobble again?” 

This metaphor captures the sense of disorientation that a change of routine can bring to individuals with ASD. Even as things settle, the question lingers: When would the next piece move?

Strategies support a partner with autism (and yourself)

Romantic relationships take work to begin with, and the road inevitably becomes bumper when you factor ASD into the equation. But with patience, understanding, and empathy, we can build meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

Here are some strategies for strengthening relationships with partners with ASD.

Mindset Change: Differences, Not Deficits

ASD is not a deficit, but a natural variation in how an individual interacts with the world. Take the instance where Brian said no when his wife asked him if he wanted to spend time together. It wasn’t because he didn’t care about her feelings, but because he defaults to clarity over emotional cues. This recognition can minimise misunderstanding between partners, fostering empathy and strengthening their connection.

Communication Strategies

As a rule of thumb, say what you mean and mean what you say! When getting through to partners with ASD, direct and explicit communication tends to work best. Sure, it would be ideal if our partners could intuit our feelings without our expressing them. But instead of being sarcastic when we’re upset and hoping they would clock that, you might say “I’m feeling upset now because XYZ. You can help me by doing XYZ.” Getting straight to the point meets your need for comfort and their need for clarity.

(With that said, it doesn’t mean there’s no room for humour; when you’re teasing a partner with ASD, it helps to say “I’m just joking!”)

Routine and Structure

In romantic relationships where two people are heavily involved in each other’s lives, a shared calendar, visual schedules, and clear time blocks for different activities can offer a sense of predictability. Although Brian continues to make extensive plans for his hobbies, he simultaneously prioritises his relationship by having a shared calendar that informs him of upcoming activities.

“I can do it. I just need to know in advance,” He later said.

Self-Care for Partners

You likely found this article because you want to learn how to support your partner with autism. However, I also want to take a moment to recognise the unique challenges that you may be facing.

In the book “NeuroTribes”, the concept of “double empathy” is introduced. Just as a partner with autism struggles to understand how their neurotypical counterparts experience the world, so will you find it difficult to walk a mile in their shoes. Just imagine how isolating and even painful it could be if you feel you can’t fully connect with or understand your loved one.

As we come to the end of this article, I want to remind you that supporting yourself is just as crucial as supporting a partner with autism. From educational resources to support groups and even couples counselling, there ways for both partners to better understand each other’s perspectives and strengthen their relationship.

Employers in Singapore are falling behind their regional counterparts when it comes to mental health awareness and support, and unwittingly perpetuating stigma and discrimination, according to a new report by Intellect.

SINGAPORE, 10 OCTOBER 2024 – A new region-wide report has found that nearly half (45%) of Singaporean employers are hesitant to ‘actively employ’ individuals with mental health conditions, while 26% are unsure whether their companies ‘actively employ’ such individuals, higher than the regional average. In contrast, smaller Southeast Asian markets, including Vietnam (86%), Thailand (87%) and the Philippines (65%) lead the region in actively hiring individuals with mental health conditions. 

The ASEAN Workplace Wellbeing 2024 Report was conducted by leading regional mental health care company Intellect, and surveyed 585 HR professionals across Southeast Asia in 2024. The report aims to understand current workplace wellbeing practices, awareness, resource accessibility, and stakeholder opinions within the private sector across ASEAN. 

This research study found that while many organisations have implemented mental health literacy and awareness programmes, gaps remain – particularly in hiring individuals with mental health conditions. The report also highlights the need for comprehensive training, accessible resources, and stronger organisational support to address these challenges. 

Positive shift across ASEAN Organisations in prioritising change management practices over simply providing wellbeing services and support 

There has been a positive focus in how ASEAN organisations improve mental health and wellbeing management, beyond simply providing services and support. Human Resource (HR) professionals are reportedly prioritising communication on mental health and neurodiversity inclusion (56%) and training managers on mental health literacy (56%), reflecting a shift towards change management practices and evolving wellbeing programs to address emerging challenges. [Refer to Appendix A for more details]

Persistent gaps in inclusive hiring despite rollout of mental health initiatives and leadership training across organisations

According to the report, the majority of organisations (65%) across the region have introduced mental health literacy and awareness training for employees, while three in five (60%) have implemented wellbeing policies and practices aimed at improving employee welfare. While these numbers suggest progress, the scope of mental health resources and their impact varies significantly across countries. [Refer to Appendix B for more details.]

Organisations in Singapore claim to have the highest rate of inclusive hiring policies (89%) and workplace/physical environment adjustments (78%) compared to the regional average (60% and 68% respectively), but nearly half of employers (45%) hesitate to hire individuals facing mental health challenges. This disconnect underscores a critical gap between policy implementation and practical outcomes in fostering truly inclusive workplaces. 

The breakdown of organisations who actively hire individuals with mental health conditions.

In Singapore, employers are guided by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP), which discourages asking job applicants to disclose personal information – including mental health conditions – unless it directly relates to the job. This may account for some of the data as to why many Singaporean employers don’t ‘actively hire’ those struggling with mental health conditions, which noted that non-disclosure practices are the main reasons (67%) that they do not actively hire these individuals. However, the survey also found key obstacles in hiring individuals with mental health conditions in Singapore included limited mental health awareness (24%), negative employee attitudes (10%), and management’s reluctance to accommodate flexible working conditions (5%).

Theodoric Chew, Co-founder & CEO of Intellect said, “While Singapore rightfully restricts employers from asking specific questions around the mental health of candidates, our findings indicate there remains a significant gap in both awareness and willingness to accommodate employees with mental health challenges. Workplaces play a very important role in dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health – and given that 17% of Singaporeans suffer from poor mental health, it’s imperative that hirers and leaders understand the need to integrate mental health support across the business.” 

“In fact, the ongoing development of the Guidelines on Providing Support for Employees with and at-risk of Mental Health Conditions by Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, calling for stronger return-to-office support for employees with mental conditions, is a step in the right direction. Ultimately, by providing proper training, flexible work policies, and easily accessible mental health resources, employers can shift this conversation away from being something that is taboo, thus improving both hiring practices and workplace wellbeing,” he added. 

The lack of robust mental health support in ASEAN, and the resulting low levels of employee engagement

Across Southeast Asia, organisations reported having access to various mental health resources through their Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP). These include mental health personnel like coaches or counsellors (63%), digital mental health support (50%), helplines (38%), and crisis support (34%). While organisations in Thailand lead Southeast Asia in offering more comprehensive mental health programmes to employees (23%), there remains significant room for improvement throughout the region.

In Singapore, less than one in five (15%) of HR professionals report that their companies offer comprehensive mental health resources [Refer to Appendix C for more details]. The challenge is further compounded by alarmingly low employee engagement with available mental health services. While more than nine in 10 (93%) Singaporean companies communicate mental health programmes to their staff, less than one in 10 (5%) employees actively engage with these services—a rate far below the regional average of 47%.  [Refer to Appendix D for more details.]

By comparison, Vietnam (85%), Thailand (63%), and the Philippines (49%) see significantly higher participation, highlighting the stark contrast in workplace mental health engagement across Southeast Asia.

How companies can overcome the challenges in championing organisational-wide support for mental health initiatives across ASEAN

The report also reveals significant challenges in the implementation of effective mental health policies across ASEAN countries. While the majority of organisations have made strides to improve mental health literacy (65%) and have introduced wellbeing policies (60%), in Singapore, less than one in four (24%) organisations provide proactive day-to-day mental health support. 

To enhance inclusive hiring and supportive practices in the workplace, it is critical that leaders, HR professionals, and employees are empowered to support organisational-wide efforts. According to the World Health Organisation, organisations should provide training for recruiters and hiring managers on how to effectively assess and accommodate candidates with diverse needs. HR professionals must ensure that mental health resources are not only readily available, but also accessible and tailored to meet employees’ needs. Additionally, corporate symmetrical communication—where organisations listen and respond to employee concerns—can significantly improve engagement with mental health resources and drive overall effectiveness.

Theodoric Chew, Co-founder & CEO of Intellect said, “As Singapore shifts the responsibility of mental health care from hospitals to the community to widen the number of touch points for those in need, workplaces play a critical role in providing essential mental health support. To foster truly supportive environments, leaders and HR professionals need to go beyond offering resources, they must champion organisation-wide efforts in a way that meets the needs of the organisation and its employees.”  

“Training programmes like Mental Health First Aid™ can empower managers and employees to handle conversations about mental health more sensitively, promoting the hiring of individuals with mental health conditions. With this report, employers and human resources professionals now have access to a wealth of employee data insights across the region, to make strategic and data-driven recommendations for overall organisational success,” he added.

To learn more about this research or to download the full report, visit here. 

-END-

Research Methodology

Intellect surveyed 585 HR professionals (N = 585) based in 10 ASEAN countries and working across eight different types of organisations. The survey comprised 23 questions, which were translated into the local languages of each country where applicable. This report focuses specifically on 12 of these questions, whose findings are most relevant to HR from private and non-profit organisations.

Appendix A – Breakdown of priorities for improving mental health and wellbeing management across 10 ASEAN countries

Appendix B – Breakdown of mental health literacy and awareness training for employees  across 10 ASEAN countries

Appendix C – Breakdown of the comprehensiveness of mental health resources offered by organisations through their Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) across 10 ASEAN countries

Appendix D – Breakdown of the companies which communicate the existence of mental health programmes to their staff and employee engagement with available mental health services

PRESS RELEASE

Singapore, 23 September 2024 – Award-winning mental health company, Intellect, has announced a strategic partnership with leading homegrown financial services company, Singlife, in a pioneering move to redefine the insurance industry, complementing traditional protection with end-to-end care across the full spectrum of mental health. The collaboration marks a significant step towards the integration of mental wellbeing support into insurance coverage, setting a new industry standard for holistic health support.

As the global conversation around mental health continues to grow, Intellect’s ROI study shows that the costs of absenteeism and presenteeism at the workplace due to mental health problems range between S$2.3 billion to S$12.8 billion. Singlife and Intellect share a common vision to maximise efficiencies for employers through investment in accessible, high-quality mental health services. Through this partnership, Singlife policyholders will gain access to Intellect’s award-winning self-care platform, which offers personalised mental health support, including self-care programmes and preventative care tools. Policyholders will also have access to Intellect’s 24/7 helpline, offering multilingual support in 30 languages across 60 countries. Trained responders are available to provide in-the-moment care and de-escalate critical situations.

Varun Mittal, Head of Innovation & Ecosystem at Singlife, said: “Singlife believes in supporting our customers holistically. Aside from physical health, it is equally important to take care of one’s mental wellbeing. We are elated to partner with Intellect to co-curate and launch the first-in-market comprehensive mental wellness proposition under our ‘Benefits XP’ programme. It provides our customers 24/7 access to numerous mental wellbeing resources. This is a significant milestone in our ‘Beyond Insurance’ mission to evolve and advance the future of workplace benefits.”

Intellect’s comprehensive platform is designed to meet users wherever they are on their mental health journeys. With full ownership of wellbeing services across online-to-offline (O2O) platforms, users are able to personalise their wellbeing programmes based on their needs. By making it convenient for users to seek support whenever they need, Intellect’s approach to healthcare is human-centred and technology-driven. It addresses leading contributors to work impairment associated with absenteeism and presenteeism, including stress, burnout, and emotional wellbeing issues. 

“Partnering with Singlife represents a significant opportunity to extend our support and impact in a way that aligns with our core mission of making mental health care universally accessible,” said Theodoric Chew, CEO of Intellect. “In today’s world, the importance of mental wellbeing cannot be overstated, and we believe that it should be an integral part of every person’s health journey. By collaborating with Singlife, we are breaking new ground in the insurance industry, ensuring that mental health is no longer treated as a secondary concern, but as a core component of health coverage.”

This partnership reflects a broader trend in the insurance industry, where providers are increasingly recognising the importance of mental health. By integrating Intellect’s services, Singlife is taking a proactive approach to addressing mental health challenges and supporting the overall wellbeing of its policyholders.

About Intellect:

The leading mental health company in Asia Pacific, Intellect’s mission is to redefine mental healthcare regionally and globally. From everyday support to clinical interventions, Intellect grounds its full continuum of care in research, ensuring everyone has easy access to preventive, responsive and personalised mental health care in the moments that matter.

As the most trusted mental healthcare provider in the region, Intellect serves some of the biggest enterprises and organisations in healthcare, government, and education. Online and offline, it has made a difference in the lives of over 3 million users.

Intellect is backed by influential investors including Tiger Global, Insignia Ventures Partners, Y Combinator, HOF Capital, MS&AD Ventures, and East Ventures, alongside prominent venture funds, family offices, big tech executives, and angel investors. In 2023, Intellect was also awarded Human Resources Online’s Best Digital Wellness Platform (Gold).

About Singlife:

Singlife is a leading homegrown financial services company, offering consumers a better way to financial freedom. Through innovative, technology-enabled solutions and a wide range of products and services, Singlife provides consumers control over their financial wellbeing at every stage of their lives.  

In addition to a comprehensive suite of insurance plans, employee benefits, partnerships with financial adviser channels and bancassurance, Singlife offers investment and advisory solutions through its GROW with Singlife platform. It also offers the Singlife Account, a mobile-first insurance savings plan.  

Singlife is the exclusive insurance provider for the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Officers Group Insurance Scheme. Singlife is also an official signatory of the United Nations Principles for Sustainable Insurance and the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, affirming its commitment to finding a better way to sustainability. 

The merger of Aviva Singapore and Singlife was announced in September 2020 and created one of the largest homegrown financial services companies in Singapore in a deal valued at S$3.2 billion. It was the largest insurance deal in Singapore at the time. 

Singlife was subsequently acquired by Sumitomo Life in March 2024, one of Japan’s leading life insurers, which valued Singlife at S$4.6 billion, making the transaction one of the largest insurance deals in Southeast Asia. 

Much has been said about what ADHD is and how the condition affects employees at work. However, as a counsellor, I have also witnessed many clients with ADHD struggle to maintain romantic relationships. In this article, I draw from my experience and share how individuals can manage ADHD in relationships and how their partners can be supportive.

How ADHD strains relationships

In the context of romantic relationships, individuals with ADHD may struggle with communication, emotion regulation, decision-making, planning, memory, time management, and organisational skills, which are all important cornerstones in relationships. My client Nick*, who sought therapy at his wife’s urging, resonated with some of these struggles.

Communication

My first impression of Nick was that he was extremely talkative, almost excessively so. While that gave me a lot of material to work with, it often seemed like he was talking “at” me rather than “to” me. Talking too much, jumping from one topic to another, and even interrupting others are manifestations of a hyperactive mind. And while this high energy can come across as cheerful and charismatic in the early dating phase, it can quickly become overwhelming.

After about 25 minutes of nonstop talking, I wasn’t listening anymore because his train of thought was difficult to follow. Also, I found myself focusing on the process (what was going on between us) more than the content (what was being said). I gently interrupted him,

“Nick, I’m very interested in what you have to say, but I can’t help but notice that I’m struggling to follow you. It feels like we’re jumping from topic to topic.”

Nick flushed. “Oh, interesting. My wife says the same thing about me,” he admitted, looking a bit uneasy. “There’s just so much going on in my head. I can’t contain it!” He then continued about how his wife reported feeling unimportant and unheard in their marriage.

You see, the therapy room is like a microcosm of society; whatever happens in the privacy of our session reflects the client’s struggles in their day-to-day life out there. In the same way, my interaction with Nick in our sessions gave me an idea of how his wife may have been feeling all this while.

Emotion Regulation

“It’s crazy to hear her saying she feels unimportant. I love her so much. If she’s feeling hurt, well, I feel hurt too by being so misunderstood!” Nick started to speak even more quickly, seeming frustrated.

“So, how do you respond when your wife shares her feelings with you?”, I asked.

“Well, I’m not particularly proud of this,” Nick responded, “But most of the time, I shut down and walk away.”

Gabor Maté, the author of the book “Scattered Minds,” suggests that emotional dysregulation is a core aspect of ADHD. Say, an individual was criticised or rejected for their symptoms in childhood. In adulthood, when they receive constructive feedback, they may experience it as a form of rejection or personal attack in adulthood, leading to disproportionate reactions. 

It’s easy to see how this can be problematic in a marriage, where disagreements are bound to happen. In fact, partners of individuals with ADHD have often told me that they feel pressured to “walk on eggshells,” unsure of what might upset their partners. Hearing Nick’s words, I wondered if his wife feels the same way.

Forgetfulness

What else could have triggered her feelings of unimportance? As I probed further, Nick reluctantly revealed that he had forgotten their wedding anniversary for two years in a row:

“I don’t know how it happened. I remembered it the day before, and then I just forgot! It vanished from my mind!”

It’s not unusual to hear partners of individuals with ADHD lament about their better half forgetting important dates, events, or commitments. This may be attributed to inattentiveness or impaired executive functioning, which includes one’s working memory. Although such oversights were not due to a lack of love or care, but rather a symptom of his ADHD, they feel deeply personal to his wife. She interpreted them as signs of neglect or indifference, which compounded her feelings of being unimportant and unheard in the relationship.

Indecisiveness

Given that decision-making falls under the umbrella of executive functioning, Nick struggled with it too. He found it difficult to make small decisions that didn’t really matter to him, such as where to go for date night or an upcoming holiday. 

“Jesus Christ, can you please just decide?” his wife would often exclaim in exasperation.

Her reaction was understandable. These moments of indecision not only caused delays but were also interpreted as a lack of consideration or an unwillingness to take responsibility. This perception added to her frustration, making her feel as though she had to make all the calls and, worse, that the relationship was one-sided. Over time, these small, seemingly insignificant moments can snowball, creating a pattern of tension and resentment in their relationship.

How to Manage ADHD in Relationships

Do you identify with Nick? If so, here are some strategies that have worked for many of my clients, helping them to cope with the symptoms of ADHD and improve their relationships. 

1. Psychoeducation

“I’ve always been this way. I always thought it’s just who I am.”

At age 40, he was recently diagnosed with ADHD and is still grappling with the condition. 

For the longest time, ADHD has called to mind the image of a child—usually a boy— prancing around in class or forgetting his homework, but reality is much more complex. ADHD doesn’t just affect how the young perform in school, their impact on adults, along with their personal and professional lives, cannot be understated. 

Yet, misconceptions lead to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment for adults with ADHD and erode understanding in their relationships with loved ones. By debunking these myths and educating himself about ADHD, Nick can acquire the language needed to describe his experience to his wife and communicate more effectively. 

With this knowledge, individuals with ADHD may also stop labelling themselves as negligent, incompetent, or reckless. They would understand that their behaviours are not a choice but rather a condition they can learn to manage.

2. Responsibility

“I know he/she didn’t mean it, but it still hurts.” 

This is a sentiment I hear frequently from partners of individuals with ADHD, and they are right. It’s possible to hurt someone without intending to, but while ADHD may explain some of these behaviours, it does not absolve one of responsibility. 

“So Nick, here’s a small tip for you,” I shared in one of our later sessions. “The next time your wife talks about feeling hurt or sad, instead of saying, ‘I’m sorry but this was not my intention,’ try saying, ‘Though it was not my intention, I’m still very sorry.'”

To repair the rupture with his wife, Nick had to own his actions and actively work on managing his symptoms. That brings us to the next point.

3. Structure

If we think of the ADHD mind as a messy drawer, using dividers to organise it makes sense.

For Nick and his wife, I recommended employing 

• Digital reminders (e.g. scheduling a notification on the eve of her birthday)
• Visual schedules (e.g. reminding himself of date nights using sticky notes) 
• Weekly routine (e.g. designating a day and time to spend quality time)

These behavioural interventions acted as external aids, making up for the lack of structure in an ADHD mind. 

How to Support a Partner with ADHD

It can be tough dealing with a loved one’s ADHD, but the solution isn’t as simple as “just swap them out for someone without ADHD.”

ADHD is not a choice, but it can be managed with certain strategies, as discussed. If you’re in a relationship with someone who struggles with ADHD, here’s how you can support both them and your relationship.

4. Awareness 

It’s essential to understand that inattentiveness and hyperactivity are rarely choices. Instead, they are features of the ADHD brain, which processes information, regulates attention, and controls impulses differently.

By understanding how Nick’s brain biology influences his behaviours, his wife may find it easier to empathise with his challenges. For instance, realising that Nick’s forgetfulness is not a sign of disinterest but a consequence of his working memory issues can help alleviate her concerns that he doesn’t care about her.

5. Practical support

Since ADHD affects executive functioning, including organising, planning, and decision-making, individuals often struggle with small daily tasks. So, while emotional support can be wonderful, practical support can be even more beneficial. This might look like setting up reminders or simply providing a calm, non-judgmental space for a partner with ADHD to regulate their emotions. 

“Eight out of ten times, I can’t find my keys before leaving the house,” Nick shared during our first few sessions.

Later in our work together, Nick shared about receiving the perfect birthday gift from his wife: a beautifully designed key tray. She also bought drawer dividers (literally!) for their home office, helping him better organise their space and maintain order more easily. 

6. Couples therapy

As it turned out, his wife’s gestures followed a couples therapy session, during which Nick shared about his daily struggles. This is an excellent example of how one partner with ADHD may complement individual therapy with couples therapy. With the help of a well-trained professional, a couple can learn to de-escalate conflicts arising from the symptoms of ADHD.

For example, both parties may practise techniques for clear and respectful communication, learning to express needs and frustrations without blame. Nick may, for example, learn to articulate his challenges with ADHD more effectively, and his wife may grow to frame requests in a way that is more supportive than critical. Ultimately, the goal of couples therapy is not to eliminate conflicts entirely but to handle them constructively. 

7. Self-care

Last but not least, I want to acknowledge that being with someone with ADHD without the right support can be emotionally taxing and physically draining. Partners may find themselves compensating for their loved one’s challenges, which can be exhausting over time. The emotional toll of misunderstandings can also make it difficult to maintain patience and empathy. 

As such, it’s important for the partners of ADHD clients to actively practise self-care. Professional help, be it individual therapy or support groups, can provide a safe space to process your thoughts and emotions and share coping strategies with others who face similar challenges.

Thriving with ADHD in relationships

In sum, it’s undeniable that ADHD can pose significant challenges in romantic relationships. However, with awareness, empathy, structure, and professional interventions, couples can work as a team and overcome the challenges together, building stronger, more resilient relationships.

• Endowus智安投和 Intellect 對1,000名香港和新加坡的 Z世代與千禧世代僱員進行調查，顯示財務健康與心理健康密不可分，財務壓力會加劇焦慮，支援和保留年輕人才於兩地就業市場尤其重要
• 41%香港受訪僱員有離職傾向，69%認為如企業提供支援（例如工作坊、諮詢意見），幫助他們做好財務準備，會降低離職意向
• 相比新加坡，有更多的香港受訪僱員認為（78%Vs83%）改善財務準備可使工作更加高效
• 逾八成香港受訪者認為，良好的財務準備有助他們更輕鬆地從挫折中復原

‍香港，2024年7月30日 – 亞洲領先的線上財富管理平台Endowus智安投 與著名的心理健康支援平台Intellect合作，發佈了《Endowus智安投xIntellect財富與健康報告》。報告調查了香港和新加坡1,000名Z世代和千禧世代僱員，深入探討財務健康與個人和企業健康的關係。量度心理健康有三大因素，包括成長型思維（Growth Mindset）、心理韌性（Resilience）及自尊（Self-esteem），而工作環境健康的量度指標包括工作滿意度和離職傾向。個人及企業的量度指標源自Intellect平台上的個人洞察測驗（PIQ）¹，這是一套專門工具，透過量度各種因素，量化個人和工作環境的健康。該調查由第三方專業研究機構協助完成²。研究結果顯示，良好的財務健康與心理健康之間存在一種良性互惠關係。例如，86%的香港受訪者認為，良好的財務準備有助於他們更輕鬆地從挫折和挑戰中復原；而83%的受訪者表示，心理韌性會激勵他們不斷提升自己的財務準備水平。此外，他們認為自尊會提升個人的財務準備，反之亦然。報告深入分析了Z 世代和千禧世代計劃加強財務準備的策略，發現在改善員工全面的財務和心理韌性方面，僱主和企業發揮著關鍵作用和責任，特別是當僱主有意提高工作滿意度和減少離職意向，打造一個更強大、更有心理韌性的團隊。香港 Z 世代和千禧世代財務與心理健康現況調查結果顯示，成長型思維（87%）、心理韌性（78%）、自尊（85%）和工作滿意度（75%）等指標反映，香港受訪者整體身心健康程度處於穩健水平。然而，與之形成對比，近四成的香港受訪者（41%）經常考慮離職，有明顯的離職傾向。在財務準備方面，大多數（60%）的香港受訪者認為當前財務狀況「準備非常充足」或「準備充足」，不過仍有40%的香港受訪者認爲目前財務狀況還未達到「準備充足」水平。研究將財務準備定義為，個人對財富能滿足短期和/或長期生活需求的信心。

‍對自己的財務狀況感覺準備程度如何？

約一半的香港受訪者 (48%) 對收入來源的可預測性充滿信心，因此受訪者表現出強烈的財務準備意識。 

‍您認為目前已在以下哪些方面做好了財務準備？

‍尽管有一半的香港受访者相信他们的收入来源是一致和可预测的，但相对而言，只有16％的受访者表示有足够的投资能力来了解适合其财务目标的投资类型。另有19％的人对自己建立充足的退休储备金的能力充满信心，这凸显了个人需要从长远的角度进行财务规划，通过有意义的财富积累进一步稳定财务安全网。

‍Endowus 联合创始人兼董事长塞缪尔·李， 说：“Endowus明白，改善个人的财务准备将加强社会结构，使更多的人能够实现退休充足率并避免长寿风险，即没有足够的资金来维持他们的白银岁月。以我们的名义为我们所有人实现机构捐赠质量投资的包容性民主化——通过知情的财富管理和更多获得正确资源的机会，我们可以为香港人提供知识，通过全面和负责任的投资，确保自己和亲人拥有更光明的未来。这就是为什么我们继续在所有平台上优先考虑金融知识的原因。”

‍“在长期财务压力的艰难环境中，金融知识的力量尤其重要，通货膨胀侵蚀了现金和存款的价值，而下一代拥有房屋的机会则进一步减少。Endowus与Intellect合作，致力于与具有前瞻性思维的组织合作，设计有效、个性化的员工福利计划，以改善团队的整体福祉，为他们的财务未来做好更好的准备。”

‍财务准备和个人健康直接影响工作场所的成果

‍该研究还探讨了两者之间的关系 财务准备 和 个人健康 可能会影响工作满意度和离职意向等工作场所成果，这表明超过80％的香港受访者同意或强烈同意，做好财务准备将有助于他们减少分心，提高工作效率，并提高工作满意度。69％的人同意或强烈同意，当工作场所提供支持（例如研讨会、咨询）以帮助他们做好财务准备时，他们不太可能考虑离职。

‍儘管有一半的香港受訪者對自己收入穩定性和可預測性持樂觀態度，但在投資知識方面，只有16%的香港受訪者認為自己具備足夠的投資能力，能夠選擇最合適的投資實現財務目標。此外，僅有19%的香港受訪者認為自己可累積充足的退休金，這顯示了個人需要採取更長遠的視角來規劃財務，通過積極的財富積累來進一步鞏固財務安全。

‍Endowus智安投聯合創辦人及主席李眞（Samuel Rhee）表示：「Endowus智安投深知，提高個人財務準備度能帶來深遠的社會效益，有助更多人實現充足的退休生活，避免因資金不足而面臨的長壽風險。我們致力開放獲取機構級別投資產品的渠道，讓香港人能明智地管理財富和輕鬆獲取正確的資訊，為自己和家庭創造一個更加光明的未來。正因如此，我們持續在跨平台推動普及金融素養教育。」

‍「目前外部環境依然充滿挑戰，高通膨會侵蝕現金和存款的價值，同時年輕一代擁有房產的機會也在逐漸減少，因此金融和個人理財知識的普及尤其重要。為了應對這些挑戰，Endowus智安投與Intellect攜手合作，致力與具有前瞻性的企業合作，共同設計有效且個性化的僱員福利計劃，以提升僱員的整體健康和為財務健康建立更好的準備。」

‍財務準備和心理健康直接影響工作滿意度及離職傾向

研究報告探討了財務準備和心理健康的關係，以及這種關係如何影響工作滿意度和離職傾向等工作成果指標。研究結果顯示，83%香港受訪僱員認為，改善財務準備可使他們心無旁騖，工作更加高效，82%受訪者則認為，良好的財務準備有助增強工作滿足感，69%受訪者表示，如企業提供支援（例如工作坊、諮詢意見），幫助他們做好財務準備，會降低離職傾向。

‍提升工作滿意度，僱主在支援整體心理健康方面發揮關鍵作用

‍考慮到財務準備和工作滿意度之間存在顯著的相關性，企業可考慮將財務健康納入僱員福利、僱員參與和留任策略。

‍僱主在提升員工全面身心健康方面發扮演著關鍵作用。三分之一的香港受訪者表達希望工作場所提供支援以改善財務準備，包括金融健康工作坊 （31%）、個人理財興趣小組 （34%） 、公司認可的退休投資計劃（34%）和個人理財及投資者教育課程（38%）。特別是千禧世代對個人理財及投資者教育的需求尤為突出，有38%的人表示希望獲得此類支援。

‍值得注意的是， 31% 的香港受訪者在尋找能夠提供心理健康研討會的工作場所，這反映了Z 世代和千禧世代對心理健康與財務健康的相互關聯的深刻認識。企業不應將這兩方面視為相互排斥，而應考慮提供靜觀培訓課程，提供減輕財務壓力的技巧以減輕財務焦慮，並提供改善心理健康的諮詢服務。 

‍Endowus智安投與Intellect亦會深入研究如何在財務準備的範疇提升各自的服務。雙方已在上周聯合舉辦了一場研討會，與超過100名高級管理人員和人力資源專業人士分享報告中的發現，並探討如何幫助建立更具韌性的員工隊伍。同時，與金融機構合作，深入研究案例，透過提供企業員工福利計劃，以提高個性化員工財務健康支援力度。

‍Intellect聯合創辦人及首席執行官Theodoric Chew 表示：「研究表明，財務狀況與心理健康之間存在密切的聯繫，財務壓力往往會導致焦慮和心理健康狀況下降。我們與 Endowus 智安投的合作研究結果證實了這種關係，強調提供全面解決方案的迫切性。」

‍「Intellect推出了心理和財務健康工作坊、培訓課程和相關平台內容可以應對這些挑戰。僱主透過將支援措施納入福利策略，支持員工在工作場所茁壯成長，從而提高工作滿意度並降低離職率。我們期待與 Endowus智安投共同努力，繼續探索和優化這些重要舉措。」

‍《Endouws智安投x Intellect 財富與健康報告》完整版本可通過此鏈接下載。

-END-

關於Intellect
Intellect作為一家領先的心理健康公司，致力於重新定義員工和社區的心理健康支援。從日常支援到臨床干預，Intellect將其服務立足於研究，確保每個人在關鍵時刻都能輕鬆獲得預防性、有回應和個性化的心理健康支援。

Intellect的國際影響力正在不斷擴大。作為亞太地區最值得信賴的心理健康支援提供者，我們為醫療保健、政府和教育領域的一些大規模企業和組織提供服務。無論是線上還是線下，Intellect已經改變全球超過370萬用戶的生活。

Intellect得到了眾多有影響力的投資者的支持，包括Tiger Global、Insignia Ventures Partners、Y Combinator、HOF Capital、MS&AD Ventures和East Ventures，以及知名的風險基金、家族辦公室、大型科技企業的高管和天使投資者。2023年，Intellect榮獲人力資源線上最佳數字健康平台（金牌）獎項。

關於Endowus智安投

Endowus智安投是亞洲領先的獨立線上財富管理平台，獲香港證監會及新加坡金融管理局的牌照許可。Endowus是亞洲首個同時提供個人儲蓄、私人財富和公共退休保障儲蓄（新加坡公積金計劃（CPF）和退休輔助計劃（SRS））服務的綜合線上財富管理平台。透過提供個人化的線上體驗，Endowus讓投資者能以公平、合理的費用取得專業的投資顧問服務，同時為投資者提供機構級別的投資產品，旨在協助他們實現財富增長的目標。

‍Endowus自2017年成立以來已獲9,500萬美元融資，投資者包括瑞銀UBS Next, 花旗Citi Ventures、MUFG Innovation Partners、新加坡經濟發展局投資公司（EDBI）、光速創投（Lightspeed Venture Partners）、Prosus Ventures、三星風險投資 （Samsung Ventures）、軟銀亞洲、新加坡電信旗下 Singtel Innov8、和Z Venture Capital，其他投資者包括部份亞洲最大的家族辦公室，以及Endowus的創辦人及僱員。

‍Endowus持續突破界限開放投資渠道，通過與80多家全球大型私人資產管理公司合作，為客戶在公開市場、私募市場、對沖基金及另類投資上，以公平及透明的費用提供優質的投資解決方案，除投顧費，並沒有其他隱藏費用。Endowus Private Wealth客戶如今可以獲取來自EQT, Carlyle, Partners Group, KKR, Ares, Brookfield Oaktree, Millennium, Point72, Balyasny, Brevan Howard, Bridgewater, Schonfeld, Hudson Bay, LMR 等多家公司專業策劃的頂級投資策略。

‍Endowus的行業領導地位以及業務增長廣受業界認可，更獲多項殊榮，包括亞洲資產管理雜誌（Asia Asset Management）2024年度Best of the Best的新加坡最佳智能財富管理公司、財資（The Asset）2024年AAA財資智能大獎的新加坡最佳智能升級(智安投應用程式）、財資（The Asset）2023年AAA財資智能大獎的新加坡最佳數碼財富管理體驗、亞洲私人銀行家(Asian Private Banker)第九屆科技大奬中2023年度最佳財富科技方案供應商。Endowus亦是世界經濟論壇（World Economic Forum）2023年度百大技術先鋒（Technology Pioneers 2023）之一，此前亦獲選為領英（LinkedIn）2023年度頂級初創公司及2022年度福布斯最值得關注的100家企業之一。

‍Endowus集團包括兩家香港和新加坡持牌公司，以及紮根於香港的家族辦公室Carret Private。Endowus為數以千萬計客戶提供專業的理財服務，旗下咨詢資產超過60億美元，是亞洲最大的獨立財富管理公司之一。成立至今，透過直接向客戶回贈100%銷售佣金、提供機構級別的投資產品與獨有的基金產品，Endowus已為客戶節省超過每年4,000萬美元的投資成本。

有關更多信息，請瀏覽 www.endowus.com/zh-hk。Endowus HK 服務僅對供香港投資者。對於新加坡投資者，請聯絡 Endowus Singapore Pte Ltd 或瀏覽 www.endowus.com。

‍

Singapore, 25 July 2024 – HUSH TeaBar, a social movement known for conducting unique wellbeing tea experiences through the deaf community, and Intellect, a leading mental health company, are thrilled to announce its first joint event celebrating caregivers, marking the beginning of HUSH TeaBar’s 10th anniversary festivities and the launch of a new partnership between the two organisations. This event aims to celebrate Singapore’s National Day in a meaningful way, by honouring the crucial role caregivers play in our society.

For the event, attendees will be guided through a silent HUSH TeaBar experience, followed by a series of workshops and activities led by Intellect, focusing on the wellbeing of caregivers:

• HUSH TeaBar Experiential Session: Immerse in a tranquil session led by individuals with hearing disabilities and undergoing mental health recovery, blending tea and sign language for empathy and emotional wellbeing
• Self-care Workshop: Learn to prioritise your wellbeing as caregivers, identify self-care barriers, and integrate daily self-care practices
• Panel Discussion and Q&A with Thought Leaders: Gain insights and practical advice from mental health and caregiver support experts
• Networking Opportunity: Connect with fellow caregivers, professionals and individuals passionate in the mental health space – sharing experiences and building meaningful relationships

Taking place on 16 August 2024 at Intellect’s office at Tanjong Pagar, the event features a pay-it-forward initiative. For every five tickets sold, a frontliner such as a doctor, nurse, or security guard, will be invited to attend the event for free.

In a rapidly ageing society such as Singapore, formal and informal caregivers have become our everyday heroes as they play an essential role in looking after the elderly. By 2030, nearly one in four Singaporeans will be 65 or older, each supported by 2.7 working adults (MOH) and the amount of effort required for caregiving duties cannot be understated. On average, caregivers spend about 33 hours a week on caregiving duties, equivalent to a full-time role. 

Without proper resources and support, caregivers’ health and mental wellbeing can be significantly affected in the long-run. Caregiving is an ongoing journey and it is essential that we prioritise caregivers’ mental and physical wellbeing in order for them to fulfil their duties sustainably and healthily.

This event aims to support caregivers by equipping them with resources to improve their wellbeing through the self-care workshop and connecting them with fellow caregivers. This is essential, especially if there is a lack of practical assistance and emotional support from family and friends. Without proper support, the risk of depression among caregivers can greatly increase. 

Anthea Ong, Founder of HUSH TeaBar, shared, “At HUSH TeaBar, we create spaces for peace and solace, fostering self-care, emotional literacy, and empathy through the practice of silence and sign language. Our workshops, led by individuals who are deaf and those in mental health recovery, blend the tranquillity of tea with sign language to promote emotional wellbeing. This event is our way of giving back to caregivers, acknowledging their critical role in society, and offering the support they deserve.”

Cassandra Loh, VP, Partnerships and Solutions at Intellect, shared “We are excited about partnership with HUSH TeaBar because this programme aligns with Intellect’s mission to redefine global mental health and ensure mental health accessibility across various groups in our society.  The upcoming event, which pays tribute to our everyday heroes, marks the launch of our partnership and  demonstrates our commitment to support the wellbeing of caregivers. We will be including this programme as part of our Learning & Development and Wellbeing offerings that our clients can choose from and we continue to welcome such purposeful collaboration that will benefit our communities.”

For more information and to register for the event, please click this link.

About Intellect
A leading mental health company, Intellect’s mission is to redefine mental healthcare for workforces and the community. From everyday support to clinical interventions, Intellect grounds its care in research, ensuring everyone has easy access to preventive, responsive and personalised mental health care in the moments that matter.

Intellect’s presence is growing internationally and as the most trusted mental healthcare provider in Asia Pacific, Intellect serves some of the biggest enterprises and organisations in healthcare, government and education. Online and offline, it has made a difference in the lives of over 3.7 million users around the world.

Intellect is backed by influential investors including Tiger Global, Insignia Ventures Partners, Y Combinator, HOF Capital, MS&AD Ventures, and East Ventures, alongside prominent venture funds, family offices, big tech executives, and angel investors. In 2023, Intellect was also awarded Human Resources Online’s Best Digital Wellness Platform (Gold).

About HUSH TeaBar
Hush TeaBar is a social movement that champions mental wellbeing, empathy and social inclusion through a unique tea experience of silence, sign language, tea art and sharing that gives us the much needed pause amidst our daily hustle and bustle. More so now with the dizzying pace of technology, with mounting challenges of an uncertain and volatile world.

Since 2014, our core team of Deaf persons, persons with lived experience in mental health, including those still in recovery and allies have staged over 500 Hush Experience sessions for more than 20,000 participants at workplaces, schools and communities in Singapore. Together, we aim to build a compassionate, resilient and inclusive society – one cup of tea at a time.

To evaluate this progress and assess how workplace wellbeing in Singapore compares to nine other ASEAN member states, Intellect and the ASEAN Human Development Organisation (AHDO) conducted a comprehensive survey of 585 HR professionals in 2024. 

This is what we found:

1. Companies have started taking a more proactive approach.
2. Over 50% of companies train leaders in workplace wellbeing.
3. Vietnam and Thailand are most active in hiring people with mental health conditions.
4. The comprehensiveness of solutions is alarmingly low across the board. 
5. Singapore sees the lowest engagement with wellbeing resources. 

For country-specific insights, download the ASEAN Workplace Wellbeing 2024: 5 Emerging HR Trends for the Future white paper.

Delving deeper into our findings, we have identified three areas where workplace wellbeing in Singapore needs to play catch-up. 

Gaps in Singapore’s workplace wellbeing

1. Despite a strong push from HR departments, employee engagement is the lowest in the region. 

Singapore’s HR professionals are the third most active in promoting employee wellbeing, with 93.6% actively communicating mental health programmes (including EAP) to employees. Yet, employee engagement stands at a mere 18.3%, the lowest in the region. This stark contrast suggests that despite the availability of services, programs, and events, participation and utilisation remain dismal. 

While these figures are based on self-reported data and may not capture the full picture, they indicate potential misalignment in HR strategies. Qualitative responses point to several barriers, including 

• Stigma
• Confidentiality concerns
• Perceived relevance of the resources 

Explore how Intellect’s partners have successfully overcome these barriers here.

2. Although the government promotes the employment of individuals with mental health conditions, Singapore lags behind in inclusive hiring practices.

Since Singapore launched the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy in October 2023, its manpower ministry has been collaborating with tripartite partners and employer groups to encourage the hiring and support of individuals recovering from mental health conditions. 

However, despite these efforts, Singapore ranked sixth in terms of inclusive hiring practices, with only 28.1% of surveyed HR professionals reporting actively employing individuals with mental health conditions.

• 1st: Vietnam 87.01%
• 2nd: Thailand 84.09%
• 3rd: Indonesia 46.88%
• 4th: Malaysia 44.07%
• 5th: Philippines 33.19%
• 6th: Singapore 28.13%
• 7th: Myanmar 26.32%
• 8th: Brunei 9.38%

Interestingly, Vietnam and Thailand reported nearly double the affirmative responses compared to Singaporean employers.

Find out what these employers are doing differently to champion inclusivity here.

3. Leadership training is a priority among companies in Singapore, but its success remains questionable.

That workplace wellbeing is shaped by an organisation’s leadership is a common consensus across ASEAN. According to our survey, Leadership Training (62%) ranked as the third most crucial priority and is most prevalent in Thailand (83%), Singapore (71%), and Malaysia (69%).

That being said, training has not always led to success. According to candid qualitative feedback from HR professionals in Singapore, this could be because

Workplace wellbeing is not truly prioritised.

• “Not all managers are onboard.”
  
• “The management lacks understanding about the importance of mental wellbeing and how it greatly affects productivity, staff turnover, staff health, etc.”

• “Organisations should avoid tokenistic approaches such as being involved only on World Mental Health Day but avoiding mental health conversations on other days of the year.”

Workplace wellbeing is prioritised, but training is ineffective.

• “Many a time, it’s better for the employee with mental health issues to resign as the company is not well-equipped to manage their emotional roller coaster. If we have in-house staff who are well-trained, we can help them.”
  
• “Lacking focus on aspects that are related to mental health, such as financial stability (e.g. reliable income, savings goals, loss and grief due to scams) and nutritional eating (e.g. eating disorders).”

Workplace wellbeing is prioritised and training is effective, but implementation is inconsistent. 

• “In reality, it depends on individual line managers to treat the staff fairly. Managers are still expecting staff to stay late, be present in the office (not supportive of WFH), hold meetings at unreasonable hours like 8/9 am or 5/6pm or late night meetings (with overseas offices).”

• “We have limited data and insights on how well we are tackling mental health and wellbeing.” 

Learn how employers can refine leadership training to bring about lasting change here.

Minding the gap

These discrepancies highlight a sobering reality: despite well-meaning intentions at individual, organisational, and national levels in Singapore, these intentions are not translating into tangible impacts. To effectively bridge these gaps, it’s essential to:

• Address barriers to engagement, such as stigma, confidentiality concerns, and the perceived relevance of available resources.
• Learn from best practices in inclusive hiring and support adopted by leading countries.
• Review and enhance approaches to leadership training to drive meaningful change.

For strategic recommendations, download the ASEAN Workplace Wellbeing 2024: 5 Emerging HR Trends for the Future white paper.

• A new study by Endowus and Intellect surveying 1,000 Gen Zs and Millennials in Singapore and Hong Kong has found that employers play a crucial role in improving employees’ financial preparedness and workplace wellbeing 
• 1 in 3 respondents in Singapore expressed a desire for their employers to offer financial wellness programmes at work
• Nearly 80% of Millennials & Gen Zs say improved financial preparedness will reduce distraction at work and as a result increase productivity
• 4 out of 5 Singaporeans agree that financial preparedness positively impacts their self-esteem, and boosts personal resilience to recover more easily from setbacks 

SINGAPORE, 15 JULY 2024 – Asia’s leading digital wealth platform, Endowus, in partnership with prominent mental health and wellbeing support platform, Intellect, has released the Endowus x Intellect Wealth & Wellbeing Report, a comprehensive study exploring the relationship between financial wellbeing and key aspects of individual and organisational wellbeing among 1,000 Gen Z and Millennial workers in Singapore and Hong Kong. 

Specifically, the study looks at individuals’ financial preparedness and knowledge – and how these affect, and are affected, by personal factors of mental wellbeing: Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self Esteem as well as workplace wellbeing dimensions of Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention. 

These individual and organisational dimensions were derived from Intellect’s Personal Insights Questionnaire (PIQ), a proprietary tool developed to quantify personal and workplace wellbeing, and the survey was administered by a third-party research agency. 

The findings of the study establishes a virtuous, cyclical relationship between high levels of financial wellbeing and personal wellbeing. For instance, 85% of Singapore respondents said being financially prepared will help them bounce back more easily from setbacks and challenges, while a corresponding 84% reflected that this cultivated resilience will encourage them to continually improve levels of financial preparedness. High self-esteem begets a stronger sense of financial preparedness, and vice versa.

Diving deeper into the strategies Gen Zs and Millennials plan to adopt to enhance financial preparedness, the report concludes that employers and organisations have a crucial role and responsibility to play in improving employees’ holistic financial and mental resilience, particularly with the business objectives of building a stronger, more resilient workforce by boosting job satisfaction and reducing turnover intention.   

Current areas of strengths and weaknesses among Singapore’s Gen Zs and Millennials

From the outset, Singaporeans exhibit robust baseline metrics for overall wellbeing: a high percentage of respondents indicated healthy levels of Growth Mindset (91%), Resilience (80%), Self Esteem (83%), and Job Satisfaction (68%). However, a contrasting figure of nearly 1 in 2 respondents (46%) often think about leaving their job, reflecting considerable Turnover Intention. 

In terms of financial preparedness, a majority (83%) of Singaporean respondents also feel “very prepared”, “prepared” and “somewhat prepared” today — with financial preparedness defined in the study as the confidence that one is able to financially manage life’s demands, both in the short-term and/or long-term, to provide a sense of control over one’s money situation. 

To what extent do you feel financially prepared? 

A further 1 in 2 of respondents (51%) express confidence in the current predictability of their primary income source, contributing to this strong sense of financial preparedness reported among respondents. 

Which of the following areas of financial preparedness do you think you’ve currently achieved?

Strong virtuous cycle between financial preparedness and personal wellbeing, with room to improve long-term financial planning and confidence 

The Endowus x Intellect 2024 report reveals a compelling, virtuous relationship between one’s sense of financial preparedness, and one’s sense of self.

These findings demonstrate a strong interrelationship between financial preparedness and mental wellbeing, and how one affects – even compounds – the other. With its significant correlation to mental wellbeing, the study also revealed Gen Z and Millennials’ least confident areas when it comes to financial preparedness, and key areas to shore up.  

Despite half of Singapore respondents being confident that their income sources are consistent and predictable, comparatively, only 15% cited sufficient levels of investment proficiency to understand the right type of investments for their financial goals. Another 15% were confident in their ability to build an adequate retirement nest egg, highlighting the need for individuals to adopt a longer-term view on their financial planning, to stabilise their financial safety net further with meaningful wealth accumulation. 

Samuel Rhee, Co-Founder and Chairman of Endowus, said, “Endowus understands that improving individuals’ financial preparedness will strengthen the very fabric of society, by enabling more people to achieve retirement adequacy and avoid longevity risk, that is, not having enough to support their silver years. It was in our name to inclusively democratise institutional endowment-quality investing for all of us — through informed wealth management and greater access to the right resources, we can empower Singaporeans with the knowledge to secure a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones by investing holistically and responsibly. This is why we continue to prioritise financial literacy on all our platforms.”

“The power of financial knowledge is especially critical in a challenging environment of protracted financial pressures, with inflation eroding the value of cash and deposits and the chances of home ownership diminishes more for the next generation. In partnership with Intellect, Endowus is committed to working with forward-thinking organisations to design effective, personalised employee welfare programmes that make a meaningful impact on their teams’ overall well-being and financial futures.”

When asked about immediate next steps, most Singapore respondents are opting to increase their emergency savings (46%) as a means to boost their financial preparedness, implying that saving for rainy days is their preferred solution to keep funds secure. 

What Singaporeans Are Prioritising

Which action steps do you think would help increase your sense of financial preparedness?  

These findings highlight the need for Singaporeans to more effectively manage their cash savings, and consider investing their emergency funds in low-risk, inflation-hedging assets such as money market funds that offer flexibility in liquidity. At an average interest rate of less than 1% for most savings accounts, the effect of high inflation will drastically erode the value of any emergency savings left in one’s bank over time. 

Respondents also recognised the importance of income stability and income diversification amidst the city state’s weak hiring outlook, indicating the demand for upskilling to maintain employability, and pursuing alternative income streams beyond their primary source for financial independence and security.

Financial preparedness and personal wellbeing have a direct impact on workplace outcomes

The study also looks at how the relationship between financial preparedness and personal wellbeing can affect workplace outcomes such as job satisfaction and turnover intent, revealing  profound implications for businesses and organisations striving to build strong, sustainable, and productive workforces. 

Which of the following areas of financial preparedness do you think you’ve currently achieved?

For better workplace outcomes, employers play a crucial role in supporting holistic wellbeing 

Given the clear correlation between financial preparedness and workplace outcomes, organisations can benefit from integrating financial wellness into their employee wellbeing, engagement, and retention strategies.

Employers play a crucial role in fostering the holistic well-being of their workforce. A significant 1 in 3 Singapore respondents desire greater workplace support through financial wellness workshops (34%), personal finance interest groups (33%), and financial literacy training sessions (34%). This sentiment is echoed particularly strongly among Millennials, with 35% expressing a preference for both financial wellness workshops and financial literacy training.

Notably, another 35% of Singapore respondents are also looking for their workplaces to offer mental wellness workshops, reflecting a growing understanding among Gen Zs and Millennials on the interconnectedness between mental health and financial wellbeing. Rather than seeing these two dimensions as mutually exclusive, organisations can look to offer mindfulness training sessions focused on financial stress reduction techniques, and provide access to counselling services that specifically address financial anxieties and their impact on mental health.

Endowus will be further enrolling their client-facing representatives in a mental health first aid course to better equip their advisors to handle wellness challenges. Collectively, Endowus and Intellect are keen to further study the challenge of financial preparedness and improve their respective services. Both organisations will be co-hosting a Zoom webinar on 23 July 2024 to unpack these findings and their implications for C-suites and HR professionals wanting to build more resilient workforces. They are also exploring deeper case studies with financial institutions to identify the efficacy of more targeted financial wellness assistance and intervention for employees. 

Theodoric Chew, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Intellect, said, “Research consistently demonstrates the deep interconnection between financial well-being and mental well-being, with financial stress often leading to anxiety and reduced mental health. The findings from our joint study with Endowus reinforce this link, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive wellness solutions.”

“At Intellect, we have launched mental and financial wellness workshops, coaching, and platform content to address these challenges. By integrating these initiatives into their well-being strategies, employers can better support their employees to thrive in the workplace, resulting in higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. We look forward to exploring avenues with Endowus on these crucial initiatives.”

For more insights, the full Endowus x Intellect Wealth & Wellbeing Report can be downloaded here. 

– END –

About Endowus

Endowus is Asia’s leading independent digital wealth platform. With entities licensed by the Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong and Monetary Authority of Singapore, Endowus is the first digital advisor in the region to span personal savings, private wealth and public pension (CPF & SRS in Singapore), helping investors – individuals, family offices, endowments, and institutions – grow their wealth holistically, with conflict-free advice and access to institutional financial solutions at low and fair fees, through a personalised digital wealth experience. 

Founded in 2017, Endowus has raised a total of US$95 million in funding from investors including UBS Next, Citi Ventures, MUFG Innovation Partners, EDBI, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Prosus Ventures, Samsung Ventures, SBVA, Singtel Innov8, and Z Venture Capital. Other investors include some of the largest Family Offices in Asia, as well as the founders and employees of Endowus. 

Endowus continues to push the boundaries on innovation and democratising access, as it partners with 80+ global fund managers across public markets, private markets, hedge funds and alternatives to provide world-class solutions to its clients at a fair and transparent cost, delivered through Endowus’ fee-only business model. 

Endowus’ leadership and growth have been recognised by the industry and it has attained numerous awards including, Singapore’s Best Digital Wealth Management (Asia Asset Management’s Best of the Best Awards 2024), Singapore’s Best Digital Upgrade for enhancements made on the Endowus app (The Asset Triple A Digital Awards 2024), Singapore’s Best Digital Wealth Management Experience (The Asset Triple A Digital Awards 2023), and Best WealthTech Solution 2023 (Asian Private Banker 9th Technology Awards). Endowus is also among the firms named in the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers 2023, LinkedIn Top Start-ups 2023 and Forbes’ “100 to Watch” list for 2022. 

The Endowus Group comprises Endowus’ licensed companies in Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as Hong Kong-based multi family office Carret Private. Endowus Group serves over a hundred thousand clients with content, advice and access. With group assets of over US$6 billion, it is one of the largest independent wealth managers in Asia. From a combination of 100% trailer fees rebates as direct cashback to clients, savings from the access to institutional share class and exclusive funds, Endowus has created more than US$40 million in savings per year for its clients.

About Intellect

A leading mental health company, Intellect’s mission is to redefine mental healthcare for workforces and the community. From everyday support to clinical interventions, Intellect grounds its  care in research, ensuring everyone has easy access to preventive, responsive and personalised mental health care in the moments that matter. 

Intellect’s presence is growing internationally and as the most trusted mental healthcare provider in Asia Pacific, Intellect serves some of the biggest enterprises and organisations in healthcare, government and education. Online and offline, it has made a difference in the lives of over 3.7 million users around the world. 

Intellect is backed by influential investors including Tiger Global, Insignia Ventures Partners, Y Combinator, HOF Capital, MS&AD Ventures, and East Ventures, alongside prominent venture funds, family offices, big tech executives, and angel investors. In 2023, Intellect was also awarded Human Resources Online’s Best Digital Wellness Platform (Gold).

Guest-Of-Honour Dr Wan Rizal, MP for Jalan Besar GRC (Kolam Ayer) and Theodoric Chew, CEO and Co-Founder, Intellect at the opening ceremony.

SINGAPORE, 1 July 2024 – Intellect, a leading mental health company, is proud to announce the opening of its flagship clinic at Marina One which combines the expertise of mental health and medical practitioners in one centre. This milestone marks Intellect’s ambition to be the first local mental health company with full ownership of wellbeing services across online-to-offline (O2O) platforms, underscoring a human-centred approach to healthcare enabled by technology. 

Headquartered in Singapore, Intellect started as a virtual platform connecting workforces and individuals with certified coaches, counsellors and psychologists. However, the call for greater mental health support in Singapore has propelled Intellect to set up its 3rd and largest flagship clinic this year, catering to clients who require in-person care that looks at both mental and physical health. The newly launched clinic will offer services such as counselling, psychotherapy, psychological testing and assessments, as well as necessary medication management.

Mental health and stress are some of the top healthcare concerns among Singaporeans, with 78% of Singaporeans recognising that mental health is as important as physical health. More than half of Singaporeans also reported experiencing stress to a point where their daily lives are impacted and such figures signal a need to provide greater mental health care for everyday Singaporeans. This need is also evident from the growing traction at the two existing Intellect mental health clinics – with a total of more than 1,000 completed sessions within four months. 

While the flagship clinic is open to the public and current Intellect users, it allows workforces and individuals who are Intellect users, multiple channels to book face-to-face sessions or appointments with counsellors or clinicians, be it through its platform or other means such as WhatsApp, email and phone-booking. This is in line with Intellect’s mission and Singapore’s national mental health strategy to improve access and speed to mental health care, in order to better meet the needs of the population.

To ensure highest standards of clinical delivery, Intellect has invested in building its in-house team of clinicians. This approach ensures that every aspect of the client’s journey is well-managed directly by Intellect’s team and it also allows its healthcare team to better address the multifaceted needs of each client.

Dr Oliver Suendermann, VP, Clinical, at Intellect explains, “Our holistic care approach is driven by a dedicated team of professionals working collaboratively to address the diverse needs of every individual. This team-based model allows us to provide personalised quality of care, especially for chronic and acute challenges. For a range of conditions such as Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), our team is able to provide specialised mental health assessments and care that covers the population’s needs. Our comprehensive support ensures that children, adults, and families receive the tailored care they need to thrive.”

Theodoric Chew, CEO and Co-founder of Intellect, says, “With mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression potentially costing Singapore close to S$16 billion, there is a growing demand for mental health services, especially for high-acuity cases. We believe that by setting up our own chain of mental health clinics for in-person care, we can better provide high quality support to all clients along the mental health spectrum.”

About Intellect
The leading mental health company in Asia Pacific, Intellect’s mission is to redefine mental healthcare regionally and globally. From everyday support to clinical interventions, Intellect grounds its full continuum of care in research, ensuring everyone has easy access to preventive, responsive and personalised mental health care in the moments that matter.

As the most trusted mental healthcare provider in the region, Intellect serves some of the biggest enterprises and organisations in healthcare, government, and education. Online and offline, it has made a difference in the lives of over 3 million users.

Intellect is backed by influential investors including Tiger Global, Insignia Ventures Partners, Y Combinator, HOF Capital, MS&AD Ventures, and East Ventures, alongside prominent venture funds, family offices, big tech executives, and angel investors. In 2023, Intellect was also awarded Human Resources Online’s Best Digital Wellness Platform (Gold).