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From lessons in empathy to the courage to care, HR leaders across Asia share how their personal experiences have shaped the way they advocate for mental health at work.
This feature is a collaborative effort by Umairah Nasir, Aditi Sharma Kalra, Sarah Gideon, and Tracy Chan.
Mental health at work is now being recognised as an essential part of employee wellbeing. More leaders are speaking up, listening better, and creating spaces where people feel supported through life’s ups and downs.
For many HR professionals, this belief comes from something deeply personal. It might be their own experience with burnout, a period of struggle, or standing by someone close who was going through a difficult time. These moments often shape how they lead and remind them that behind every employee is a human being with emotions, pressures, and stories that matter.
For World Mental Health Day 2025, Human Resources Online invited HR leaders across Asia to share how their personal journeys have influenced the way they support mental health at work. We asked them simple but heartfelt questions, such as personal experiences that have shaped the way they think about mental health at work, their most important lessons, and advice on creating a culture of empathy.
Their reflections highlight one simple truth: compassion and courage are at the heart of every thriving workplace. Each story is a testament to the power of empathy, and a reminder that when leaders care for their people, workplaces become not only more productive but also more human.
Joey Chung, Managing Director, Group Head of Human Resources, Haitong International
In today's highly competitive business environment, we are increasingly focused on creating a positive workplace that promotes employee wellbeing. There is no doubt that when employee wellbeing is valued, employees develop a greater sense of security, both in terms of job stability and personal safety.
When employees feel their mental health is being taken care of, they are more likely to be engaged and contribute effectively.
This has been proven through our staff training. We find that employees who participate in training become more eager to share what they have learned and apply their new skills at work because they feel valued.
I believe that promoting employees’ mental health not only helps retain and attract top talent but also builds a good reputation among clients and the community, contributing to the overall success and sustainability of the organisation. Let’s collaborate to build a better workplace where happiness leads to success!
Meike MacFarlane, Head of Human Resources, Lidl & Kaufland Asia
Performance starts with wellbeing, and it took me a long time to truly understand that. For years I thought resilience meant pushing through. Becoming a mother, navigating career shifts and entering new phases as a woman taught me otherwise. Those experiences showed me that without boundaries, energy quickly runs dry.
I have learnt I need sleep to think clearly, exercise to stay grounded, and time to recharge to lead with passion. These are not luxuries, but essentials and I encourage my teams to protect their boundaries.
Brené Brown says, “Vulnerability is not weakness; it is our greatest measure of courage.”
For me, courage is being honest about what I need and creating workplaces where everyone can thrive.
Nicole Quiogue Golloso, Director of HR & Corporate Communications (SG &HK); Regional DEI Lead (APAC), McCann Worldgroup
I battled depression for over 13 years, starting at 14, and survived multiple suicide attempts during that time. For most of those years, no one knew what I was going through — I hid my pain behind achievements and a strong façade, which was exhausting. After surviving my last attempt in 2017 and fully recovering in 2019, I made it my mission to help others by leading with empathy and heart.
That experience completely changed the way I see mental health at work. It made me realise that so many of us are fighting silent battles while trying to keep it all together. It taught me the importance of creating spaces where people feel safe to be human — to talk about what they’re going through without fear of judgment.
Every person is different, so our approach should adapt to the uniqueness of each individual — ensuring they feel seen, heard, and accepted without conditions or judgment. At the end of the day, everyone deserves kindness, mutual respect, and empathy.
No matter what industry you’re in or what role you have, always be human.
Effie Masudal, Director of Learning and Development, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
Through my professional journey, my experiences related to mental health haven’t always been positive. Perhaps it was because, in those days, conversations about mental health were considered taboo — and in some cases, they still are, depending on the generation or mindset of the leaders involved. Even today, some may treat mental health as a joke or with mockery.
While those experiences were difficult and made me more cautious about being open on this topic, over time they have become a source of strength. They’ve taught me to stand up for those who face the same dismissiveness, and to defend employees who find the courage to be honest about their mental health. These challenges have also helped me develop deeper empathy, recognising that struggles can affect anyone, regardless of age, role, or how they appear to others.
At Hard Rock, one of our mottos is “Take Time to Be Kind” — and I truly believe it’s essential to live by that.
We never fully know what others are going through, so kindness and understanding should always be our first response.
John Tay, APAC HR Business Partner, Prosegur
Encourage conversations about mental health as part of normal workplace dialogue, not a taboo topic.
Provide resources to managers and employees to support them.
On this World Mental Health Day 2025, we hope everyone takes a moment to celebrate wellbeing and spread positivity. Supporting yourself and others can make every day a little brighter.
Photos: Provided
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