Fit to Flourish

Original Content: AXA Asia Fit to Flourish

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Introduction

Mental health is a global and increasingly visible issue, and the uncertainty and disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic has added fresh urgency to these concerns. That is why this year we are launching our annual AXA Mind Health Study that examines the building blocks of mental wellbeing in Europe and Asia. With Asia being a region where mental health can still be seen as taboo, this survey gives fresh insights into the current experiences and attitudes among people living in mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan.

We have made a conscious decision to use the term 'mind health' over mental health for this research, avoiding the common misconception that mental health only relates to mental ill health. It encompasses a range of societal, social and individual factors, and enables us to highlight the positive impacts and elements of good mind health.

That is why we have also introduced the AXA Fit to Flourish Mind Health and Wellbeing Guides, designed to monitor changes in mind health over time by classifying respondents into four states – flourishing at the top, followed by getting by, languishing and struggling. Coupled with the identification of 10 skills that can enable people to protect and optimise their mental wellbeing, it provides a path on how to reach the peak of mind health.

Yet effective solutions rely on good data and robust science. Our approach in this study has been led by clinical data to identify the correlations between our behaviours and our overall mind health, establishing a clear causal relationship on how to achieve a state of flourishing. As an annual survey that can measure changes over time, our ambition is that together these resources will equip individuals and businesses with the insights they need to foster positive mind health, contribute to effecting change in society.

This guide complements the Study and Index with a dive into the skills needed to thrive and how to foster them. I hope it provides a starting point for discussion and provokes action for individuals and companies as we look toward a future where we can all become 'fit to flourish'.