EAPs delivering improved mental wellbeing, productivity and turnover, says new research

EAPs delivering improved mental wellbeing, productivity and turnover, says new research

Research among more than 15,000 employees in Southeast Asia has provided more evidence of the positive impact of EAPs [[https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12889-025-21358-7.pdf]].

The study was carried out in countries where EAPs are a relatively new benefit, in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Employees filled out surveys relating to their mental health, sociodemographic background, levels of productivity and intentions around staying or leaving their employer.

The value of awareness

The research found that less than 30% of the employees were even aware their employer offered an EAP as a benefit. Actual offerings in these countries included well-being and mental health webinars, talks and workshops, alongside the usual helplines and counselling.

But critically, among those employees who were aware of the offerings, there were significant indications of a positive impact in terms of their sense of wellbeing and attitudes to their employer. In particular, having access to regular mental health risk assessments and screening was found to be the most effective offering in these markets.

Professional first

EAPA UK chair, Karl Bennett said: “EAPs are such an established and proven form of support for organisations in the UK that measuring their real impact can difficult, given the number of factors involved.

“This study in new markets where EAPs are a fresh innovation is important in reminding us of the value of both access and awareness to services, and the ways in which an employer’s support has a real affect on their people’s state of wellbeing and outlook.”