Mental Health in a Multigenerational Workplace: Challenges and Needs

Asia’s workforce is evolving, with younger generations entering the job market while employees are planning to stay in their roles longer than ever before. This dynamic has created a multigenerational workforce dominated by Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X.

Such diversity offers valuable opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange. However, it also brings the challenge of addressing the distinct mental health needs of each generation.

For HR teams looking to retain top talent, foster deeper employee engagement, and drive organisational productivity through their wellness strategies, understanding these generational differences is crucial.

The mental health landscape across generations in Asia 

Naluri's latest research reveals that nearly half (49%) of full-time employees in Asia are at significant risk of facing mental health challenges.

The data highlights generational differences, with 61% of Gen Z experiencing high mental health risks, followed by 44% of millennials and 24% of Gen X reporting similar struggles.

The business impact of poor mental health support

Neglected mental health can lead to burnout, costly employee turnover, decreased productivity, and escalating health insurance costs. These are factors that can heavily strain a company’s bottom line.

Here’s a closer look at how these challenges affect organisations:

• Burnout: Burnt-out employees are 3.4 times more likely to look for a new job in the coming year.
• Turnover costs: Losing and replacing employees is financially draining on organisations, costing up to 2 times the employee's annual salary.  
• Productivity losses: Globally, anxiety and depression result in 12 billion lost workdays annually, costing $1 trillion in productivity.  
• Healthcare expenses: Medical costs across the Asia-Pacific region are expected to increase by 12.3% in 2025, driven in part by the growing demand for mental health services.

These challenges are further compounded in a multigenerational workforce, where mental health needs and expectations vary across age groups. 

Understanding generational differences in employee mental health needs

Each generation has unique experiences, perspectives and values regarding mental health. Understanding these differences can help HR teams tailor their support programmes to better meet the needs of their diverse workforce.

Gen Z (1997–2012)

As the first generation to grow up fully immersed in technology, Gen Z offers a fresh perspective in the workplace. However, their digital upbringing also presents distinct challenges that can impact their mental health, career progression, and overall wellbeing.

Key challenges affecting Gen Z employee mental health

• Early career stress: Financial instability often puts pressure on Gen Z employees early in their careers, leading to poor work-life boundaries and burnout. Many feel the need to overwork or take on multiple roles just to make ends meet.  
• Navigating adulthood: Lacking sufficient mentorship or guidance, many young professionals struggle to transition smoothly into adulthood and the workforce. This can leave them feeling directionless or overwhelmed, especially amidst economic uncertainties.  
• Social media pressures: Constant exposure to social media fuels comparison and affects self-esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety about their personal and professional lives.
• Emotional regulation: Mental health issues like depression, self-harm, and suicidal tendencies are rising among Gen Z. Limited workplace support, combined with today's fast-paced work environments, makes it harder to develop healthy coping strategies or seek help.

Support strategies for Gen Z employees

• Onboarding and mentorship: Introduce structured onboarding and mentorship programmes that pair young employees with experienced professionals. This can help provide valuable career guidance, build confidence, and create a sense of connection within the workplace.  
• Health coaching: Offer personalised health coaching benefits to encourage wellness practices early on, focusing on stress management, nutrition, and physical activity to support a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
• Financial literacy tools: Equip younger employees with tools and resources to improve their financial knowledge, such as budgeting guides, workshops, or access to financial advisors. This can help reduce money-related stress and foster long-term financial stability.  
• Crisis support: Ensure mental health services are not only available but easily accessible. Provide a range of support options to cater to individual preferences, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), on-site or virtual therapy, and 24/7 crisis hotlines.

While this generation tends to be more open and accepting of mental health issues, they often hesitate to seek help due to financial barriers, stigma, or bad experiences with therapy. In fact, only 29% of Gen Z in APAC feel comfortable talking about mental health.

By addressing these challenges with tailored strategies, organisations can help Gen Z employees transition more smoothly into the workforce and build healthier coping mechanisms for improved mental wellbeing and resilience.

Millennial (1981–1996) 

As a generation that has witnessed rapid technological advancements, economic shifts, and societal changes, millennials face distinct challenges in the workplace and beyond. Often caught between career aspirations and personal responsibilities, this generation is juggling multiple roles that take a toll on their mental health and wellbeing.

Key challenges affecting millennial employee mental health

• Career instability or stagnation: Many millennials entered the workforce during economic downturns or periods of uncertainty. This has led to slower career progression and limited financial security, leaving many feeling stuck or undervalued in their professional lives.  
• Caregiving responsibilities: Millennials in the sandwich generation often have to care for both ageing parents and young children. This dual role creates significant emotional and financial strain, making work-life balance difficult.
• Financial stress: Rising living costs, inflation, and the burden of student loans or housing debt contribute significantly to millennial stress. The pressure to save for the future—whether for retirement, children’s education, or emergencies—further exacerbates financial anxieties.
• Burnout and health concerns: Often called the burnout generation, many millennials are starting to face health challenges from long hours and demanding workloads. Without workplace support or flexibility, this can spiral into a relentless cycle of stress, exhaustion, and declining health.

Support strategies for millennial employees

• Flexible work options: Provide flexible arrangements like remote work, hybrid schedules, or adjustable hours to help millennials balance work and personal responsibilities. This is especially helpful for those with caregiving roles, further education, or other commitments.
• Wellness benefits: Go beyond basic healthcare coverage by providing programmes for physical, mental, and financial health. Include benefits like gym memberships, mental health counselling, nutrition workshops, and financial coaching to help millennials maintain overall wellbeing.
• Preventive care: Offer annual health check-ups and regular mental health screenings to encourage employees to prioritise their wellbeing. Promoting proactive health initiatives can help reduce long-term risks and absenteeism.
• Career development: Create clear pathways for advancement through leadership training, mentorship programmes, and upskilling initiatives like workshops or certifications.

While millennials often champion self-care and openly discuss mental health, cultural stigmas—particularly in collectivist Asian societies—can still deter individuals from seeking help.

Gen X (Born 1965–1980) 

As Gen X navigate the peak of their careers while managing family and financial responsibilities, many are feeling the strain. This phase of life often comes with increased stress as they juggle leadership roles, caregiving duties, and concerns about their future wellbeing.

Key challenges affecting Gen X employee mental health

• Leadership and workplace stress: Many Gen Xers hold senior roles, carrying heavy responsibilities. The pressure to deliver results, manage teams, and stay competitive in a fast-changing economy often leads to high stress.
• Caregiving responsibilities: Similar to millennials, Gen Xers often juggle caring for elderly parents while supporting children, whether young or transitioning to adulthood. This dual role pulls them in multiple directions, causing emotional exhaustion and challenges in maintaining work-life balance.
• Adapting to workplace changes: While Gen X were early tech adopters, the fast pace of digital change can present challenges. Keeping up with new tools, platforms, and processes may feel overwhelming, especially with younger, more tech-savvy generations entering the workforce.
• Retirement anxiety: Many Gen X employees in their 40s and 50s lack financial confidence when it comes to retirement. The costs of raising a family, caring for parents, paying mortgages, and other unexpected expenses leave little room for saving, creating anxiety about the future.
• Health issues: This generation also faces rising cases of chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease due to ageing, lifestyle, and stress. Managing these alongside work and personal responsibilities often impacts their quality of life and mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

Support strategies for Gen X employees

• Flexible leave policies: Implement flexible leave policies, including caregiving allowances or paid time off for family obligations, to help Gen X manage their personal and professional lives effectively.  
• Health improvement programmes: Introduce tailored health and wellness programmes that focus on sustainable lifestyle changes. Offer access to health coaches, fitness and nutrition workshops, and stress management resources that can help Gen X address specific health concerns.  
• Training and upskilling: Provide ongoing development opportunities such as online courses and one-on-one training sessions to help them stay competitive and comfortable with tools like project management platforms.
• Retirement planning: Offer resources such as financial advisors, retirement workshops, and practical tools to guide employees through investments, savings, and estate planning. These initiatives can ease financial stress and provide peace of mind for the future.

Growing up during a time when mental health was rarely talked about, Gen X may lack knowledge or feel uncomfortable seeking professional support. They often rely on self-care strategies to handle mental health challenges.  

By addressing key needs such as caregiving flexibility, health support, skill development, and financial security, organisations can foster a workplace that truly promotes the wellbeing of Gen X employees. Prioritising these areas not only boosts job satisfaction and performance but also strengthens retention of this highly skilled and experienced workforce.

Bridging the generational gap in mental health support

Creating an inclusive and adaptive workplace wellness strategy requires bridging generational differences while offering tailored solutions. HR teams can begin by identifying common barriers before providing more targeted resources that meet the needs of each generation.  

To support employees across all generations, consider these strategies:

• Offer virtual therapy options and peer support groups to make resources more accessible.  
• Foster a culture of open communication about mental health, with clear messaging to reduce stigma.  
• Provide a wide range of support options, from stress management tools to financial wellness resources.  

By addressing the unique challenges of each age group and implementing inclusive policies, employers create communities where employees feel valued and supported—regardless of their stage in life. 

For deeper insights into the latest state of mental health across the region, read this Mental Health Trends in Asia 2024 article.