Why business leaders should set the tone for mental health

Why business leaders should set the tone for mental health

Experts indicate that stress and anxiety are normal in moments of crisis. But the challenges posed by the pandemic have been enduring, and the path to normality is likely to be long. And so, the stress many of us have felt over the last year has the potential to become problematic and even damaging. Anxiety doesn’t discriminate by wealth or status. Recent data from premium health insurer Bupa Global in its Executive Wellbeing Index showed that 96 per cent* of high-net-worth individuals in the UAE have experienced at least one symptom of mental ill-health since the start of the pandemic. Business leaders face a double challenge; not only must they manage their own mental health but they also have a duty to look after their employees. Despite the wealth of information, resources and even legislation available to support people with mental health issues, talking about these topics could still be considered difficult by some. Compared to the other regions covered by the Index, business leaders from the UAE took a more traditional view of corporate leadership. Only 10 per cent** thought CEOs are now expected to show greater empathy, compared to 27 per cent globally. Stigma and discrimination can worsen