/ 24 November 2004

Office workers depressed, suicidal

A survey of the mental health of Taiwan office workers showed on Wednesday that most of them are unhappy and 40% of them have considered committing suicide.

The ”Unhappy Index” of Taiwan office workers has risen from last year’s 70,77 points to 74,34, according to the survey conducted by the Pan Asia Human Resources Management Consulting Corp. and the Cathay Pacific Hospital.

Of the 7,876 office workers polled, 57% complain about headache and joint pain, 43% suffer from insomnia, 38% can’t concentrate at work, 35% have poor appetite, and 33% have difficulty waking up in the morning. Only 19% reported that they had no problems.

When asked about their mood, nearly half said they have little patience and bad tempers, 41% want to go on leave, 37% have recently considered committing suicide and 35% want to beat up their boss. Only 15% said they are in good moods.

When asked about how they deal with their frustrations, most said they talk to friends, while the rest just bear it, smoke, go shopping or drink. Only 17% said they have turned to seeing a psychiatrist.

”The survey shows that the mental health of office workers is a big problem. The government must help office workers release their pressure,” Yang Ken-cheng, spokesman for Pan Asia Human Resources Management Consulting Corp., told a news conference. – Sapa-dpa