TELUS Mental Health Index: Burnout, presenteeism, and youth mental health crisis are negatively impacting Philippine business productivity

A new nationwide survey reveals 82 percent work unwell at least once a week, nearly half experience burnout, and 77 percent fear career repercussions if they disclose mental health concerns.

Quick Facts:

• More than half (55 percent) of workers report that their mental health is negatively affecting work productivity
• Nearly half (48 percent) of Filipino workers routinely end their workday mentally or physically exhausted, with younger workers (under 40) twice as likely as older peers to report constant stress
• Workers feeling mentally and/or physically exhausted lose 49.5 productivity days per year, directly affecting workplace productivity
• Eighty-two percent of employees report working while mentally or physically unwell at least once a week
• More than half (54 percent) of workers lack emergency savings to cover basic needs
• Almost eight in 10 workers (77 percent) fear career damage if they disclose mental health issues, driving a culture of hidden strain and unaddressed risk

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, TELUS Health - a global digital health and workforce wellbeing company - released its first Philippines-focused TELUS Mental Health Index ("the Index"). The report reveals that burnout, exhaustion, and presenteeism have escalated into productivity risks across the Philippines, as stigma makes workforce mental health and wellbeing a critical business imperative for organizations.

The Index is based on an independent, nationally representative survey of 2,000 employed adults across diverse sectors, regions, and demographics of the general Philippine workforce. The research evaluates workforce wellbeing on a 0–100 scale, where higher scores reflect better mental health and lower risk. Scores are categorized across optimal (80–100), strained (50–79), and distressed (0–49) ranges. Overall, the Philippine national benchmark score sits at 61.6, indicating widespread strain among workers in the country.

According to the Index, unaddressed employee strain directly impairs national economic performance, with 55 percent of workers reporting that mental health challenges actively undermine their daily productivity.

Compounded by financial stress where half of the workforce (50 percent) report personal finances as the primary source of personal stress, more than half (54 percent) lack emergency savings to cover basic needs and employees are increasingly turning up to work while unwell. Eighty-two percent report experiencing "presenteeism", also known as working while functioning below their capacity as a result of being unwell, at least one day per week. Workers reporting feeling mentally or physically exhausted at the end of their workday costs organizations up to 49.5 days in lost productivity.

Workplace stigma is a key barrier to address wellbeing in the workplace, as 77 percent of employees fear disclosing mental health challenges due to potential career repercussions, forcing Filipino workers to suffer in silence while organizations absorb the hidden costs of reduced performance and employee turnover.

"Presenteeism is a costly hidden expense for Philippine businesses today, as 82 percent of employees report working while unwell at least once a week and the impact on operational output should not be ignored," said Paula Allen, Global Leader of Research and Insights, TELUS Health. "Stigma is a factor in this and it's damaging in two ways. Firstly, stigma makes people feel the need to hide, which drains their energy. Secondly, it prevents people from seeking necessary help, including confidential health support. This crisis is hitting the younger workforce hardest, with workers under 40 being twice as likely to feel under constant stress and 70 percent more likely to end their day completely exhausted. When young employees push through physical and mental strain without proper support, companies burn out the future leaders driving their organizations."

This report reveals distinct vulnerabilities across age groups, financial obligations, and regional populations:

• Younger workers feel the pressure: Workers under 40 are twice as likely as those over 50 to feel under constant stress and twice as likely to cite mental health as their primary personal stressor. Workers under 40 are twice as likely as workers over 50 to report a lack of work-life balance as a source of work stress and 70 percent more likely than those over 50 to end their workday feeling mentally or physically exhausted.
• Financial stress is driving mental health strain: Everyday financial obligations have created a persistent state of strain across the workforce, with 41 percent of workers reporting they feel under constant stress. Workers without emergency savings continue to experience a lower mental health score (55.5) than the overall group (61.6). This financial pressure takes a toll on productivity and wellbeing, as workers stressed about money lose 44.6 working days annually.
• Climate impact on mental health: Environmental factors heavily affect regional gaps as 24 percent of workers report losing income due to climate disaster-related work stoppages, and 14 percent report difficulty working remotely due to power outages or connectivity failures during natural disasters.

The cultural stigma remains as managers are unequipped to support workforce wellbeing

The cultural stigma around disclosing mental health is a major barrier to receiving support. Seventy-seven percent of workers report they would be concerned about their career options if their workplace was aware of a mental health issue. Deep-seated self-stigma is also on the rise, with 63 percent of workers admitting they would feel negatively about themselves if they experienced a mental health issue.

"Workplace culture and cultural stigma are barriers to workforce wellbeing in the Philippines," said Jamie MacLennan, Region Head, Asia-Pacific, TELUS Health. "More than three-quarters of employees fear their career progression will be impacted by disclosing mental health challenges and this silent suffering is costing companies in lost productivity. People leaders don't feel equipped to handle wellbeing conversations, so businesses have a responsibility to support managers with proper training to address workplace stigma and ensure accessible, judgment-free support systems for every employee."

More than half of Filipino workers (52 percent) report that cost is the top barrier to seeking professional mental health support. The second biggest barrier is a lack of guidance on what type of care is best (32 percent), followed by where to find care (29 percent). Closing communication gaps, training leadership with structured facilitated training, and delivering accessible mental health and wellbeing programs are essential steps for employers aiming to reduce organizational risk and support sustainable performance.

This TELUS Mental Health Index includes insights related to anxiety and isolation, highlighting the critical importance of human connection and community support. Checking in with others and giving back to our communities can significantly boost mental wellbeing. As a company rooted in social purpose, TELUS Health is committed to improving health outcomes and fostering community connections. Read the full Philippines TELUS Mental Health Index here.

About the TELUS Mental Health Index research methodology

Data for this report was collected through an online survey of 2,000 people living in the Philippines who are currently employed or were employed within the last six months. This is not an internal survey of TELUS or TELUS Digital team members. Participants are selected to represent the age, gender, industry, and geographic distribution in the Philippines, with survey responses gathered between July 24 and August 5, 2026.

The TELUS Mental Health Index is based on a response scoring system that turns individual responses into point values. Higher point values are associated with better mental health and less mental health risk. Benchmark scores out of 100 represent optimal (80–100), strained (50–79), and distressed (0–49) mental health categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary source of stress for workers in the Philippines?

Fifty percent of workers cite personal finances as their primary source of personal stress. This financial pressure directly impacts workforce performance, causing stressed employees to lose an average of 44.6 working days per year in productivity. An additional 10 percent cite broader economic conditions such as the cost of living as their leading stressor.

How many Philippine employees lack emergency savings for basic needs?

More than half (54 percent) of workers lack emergency savings to cover basic needs. Workers without emergency savings continue to experience a lower mental health score (55.5) than the overall group (61.6).

What percentage of Philippine workers suffer from workplace burnout and fatigue?

Forty-eight percent of workers often end their workday feeling mentally and/or physically exhausted. Exhausted employees lose 49.5 productivity days per year—nearly 20 full working days more than non-exhausted peers. Workers under 40 are 70 percent more likely than those over 50 to experience end-of-day exhaustion.

Does mental health stigma affect career advancement in the Philippines workforce?

Seventy-seven percent of workers would be concerned that their career options would be limited if they had a mental health issue that their workplace was aware of. This fear of professional fallout is accompanied by high self-stigma, as 63 percent report they would feel negatively about themselves if they experienced mental health challenges.

What is presenteeism and how much does it cost Philippine employers?

Presenteeism is the practice of working while feeling mentally or physically unwell, reported by 82 percent of Filipino employees at least one day per week. Workers who never work while unwell lose only 17.3 days of productivity per year, whereas employees working while unwell 4 to 5 days a week lose between 64 and 71 working days annually per person. The loss in working days translates to a significant financial loss for businesses, highlighting the commercial imperative to address mental health issues.

What can support Philippine workers to get mental health support?

Employee Assistance Programs provide confidential, professional mental health support at no cost to the worker. The support given is personalized to the individual's needs. It is also available every hour of every day, which enables immediate intervention for crisis situations. When well communicated in a workplace, the value is significant. Cost is the primary barrier for 52 percent of workers, while 42 percent report that their manager has never communicated the availability of employer health and wellbeing programs. Additionally, 32 percent do not know what type of care is best for them, and 29 percent refrain from seeking support due to fear of social judgment.

How do natural disasters and typhoons impact workplace productivity in the Philippines?

Nearly eight in 10 workers report a direct impact on their work performance due to recent natural disasters. Specifically, 24 percent lost income due to work stoppages, 16 percent were unable to commute, and 14 percent experienced remote work disruptions from power and internet outages. Workers experiencing disaster-related emotional distress lose an average of 54.8 working days per year. The critical incident support offered through and EAP addresses the major upheaval that these situations create, and supports workers with the skills and confidence to manage through difficulty. 

How does TELUS Health support the wellbeing of its own workforce?

Team member wellbeing is foundational to our culture, and we lead by example through comprehensive physical, psychological, and financial support systems. Our team members and their eligible family members have access to confidential counseling and mental health services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), alongside digital health platforms and mental health support. TELUS actively invests in specialized leadership training to ensure managers are equipped to recognize burnout, champion psychological safety, and ensure team members can access support without fear of career repercussions.

About TELUS Health
TELUS Health is a global technology leader advancing health data infrastructure and workforce wellbeing. Across healthcare systems, we build interoperable digital technology uniting electronic medical records, pharmacy management platforms, and virtual care so vital health information flows securely across the entire ecosystem. For organizations, we deliver comprehensive, life-stage support that integrates physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. By connecting care systems and empowering workforces, TELUS Health drives better health outcomes for individuals, organizations, governments and healthcare providers worldwide. For more information, visit telushealth.com. 

Media Contact:
Kaya Arai
TELUS Health Public Relations
[email protected] 

SOURCE TELUS Health; TELUS Communications Inc.