-- Morneau Shepell's Mental Health Index(TM) reveals most industry segments 
slightly improving from April; wholesale trade and administrative and support 
service workers see their mental health decline

Morneau Shepell, a leader in integrated HR solutions, today released its May 
2020 Mental Health Index(TM) results. Measuring against a benchmark of 75, 
employees whose salaries were reduced in May reported a negative mental health 
score (-22.4), similar to those who recently lost their jobs (-23.2). For 
context, sixty per cent of Australian respondents indicated that they remained 
employed at the same income level, 34 per cent indicated either a reduction in 
hours or salary and six per cent reported recent job loss. 

People in households with only one adult have the lowest Mental Health 
Index(TM) scores of any group (-17.9 compared to the benchmark of 75). This 
group improved from where they were in April (-20.2). The main factors 
affecting this group's mental health include the stress of being alone or 
trying to manage children alone. 

Overall, the May results showed a slight improvement in Australians' mental 
health compared to the sharp and unprecedented dive it took in April with the 
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mental Health Index(TM) shows that in May, 
Australians had a mental health score of -15, up slightly from April's score of 
-17 – both measured against the benchmark of 75. However, it still means that 
the mental health of the population as a whole is equivalent to the bottom one 
per cent of the benchmark. 

Impacted industries show signs of strain, while others improve
Worker mental health varied by industry when comparing to the benchmark. On the 
low end of the scale, wholesale trade (-18.8); administrative and support 
services (-16.9); food services (-22.4); and educational services (-17.4) 
continued to see declines in worker mental health. Of those groups, workers in 
wholesale trade and food services face uncertain futures as many parts of the 
country remain in lockdown, while administrative support personnel and 
educators may be cracking under the strain of working remotely. Meanwhile, 
respondents who worked in public administration; professional, scientific and 
technical services; and retail trade saw the greatest improvements. 

"As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Mental Health Index(TM) shows the 
devastating impact that ongoing disruption can have on the quality of 
Australian workers' mental health," said Jamie MacLennan, managing director, 
Australia operations. "We're seeing early signs of hope in certain areas, but 
will remain committed to supporting the mental health of Australian employees." 

Employees who had access to an employee assistance program had better Mental 
Health Index(TM) scores (-12.6) than those who did not (-16.4) compared to the 
benchmark of 75. 

Workers gradually accepting a prolonged battle
The Mental Health Index(TM) also shows deteriorating confidence that the 
personal disruption caused by the pandemic will end relatively soon. In April, 
21 per cent believed that the COVID-19 threat would not end until at least 
January 2021. Now, 24 per cent of respondents (the largest group) are preparing 
for the disruption to end no earlier than January 2021. 

Financial impact of the pandemic remains Australians' highest concern
The Mental Health Index(TM) also measured specific concerns and fears related 
to the pandemic. The most pervasive concerns affecting Australians' mental 
health remain:

    -- the financial impact of the pandemic (57 per cent); 
    -- losing a loved one (32 per cent); 
    -- becoming ill (30 per cent); and 
    -- uncertainty around how the virus will impact family and relationships 
       (21 per cent).

"The Mental Health Index(TM) is critical in helping us understand changes to 
mental health over time. The pandemic is not a temporary issue. It is a major 
life and economic shift that will have ups and downs," said Paula Allen, senior 
vice president of research, analytics and innovation. "We need to be aware of 
potential risk to ensure support is available to those in need. The slight 
improvement in May is encouraging. We also need to prepare for the impact of 
the second and perhaps third wave, which may have an even more profound impact 
than the first wave." 

Morneau Shepell will continue publishing the Mental Health Index(TM) on a 
monthly basis. It will assess changes in mental health and the issues that 
Australians are most anxious about as the situation and outlook evolves during 
and after the pandemic. 

About the Mental Health Index(TM)
The monthly survey by Morneau Shepell was conducted from April 30 to May 11, 
2020, with 2,000 respondents in total. All respondents reside in the Australia 
and were employed within the last six months. The data has been statistically 
weighted to ensure the regional and gender composition of the sample reflect 
this population. The margins of error for the survey are+/- 3.2 per cent, valid 
19 times out of 20. The full Australian report can be found 
https://www.morneaushepell.com/permafiles/92599/mental-health-index-report-australia-may-2020.pdf.


The Mental Health Index(TM) is owned by Morneau Shepell – the wellbeing company 
that acquired LifeWorks in 2018.

About Morneau Shepell 
Morneau Shepell is a leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that 
deliver an integrated approach to employee wellbeing through our cloud-based 
platform. Our focus is providing world-class solutions to our clients to 
support the mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing of their people. 
By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in 
employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and 
benefits administration, retirement consulting, actuarial and investment 
services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with 
some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. For 
more information, visit morneaushepell.com.

For further information: Heather MacDonald, Morneau Shepell, 
media@morneaushepell.com, +1-855-622-3327; Mike Jurs, Allison+Partners, 
mike.jurs@allisonpr.com, +1-415-875-3050

SOURCE Morneau Shepell Inc.; Morneau Shepell - Corporate; Morneau Shepell - 
Mental Health