After 30 seconds of silence, what’s next?

While Calm’s 30-second US election ad went viral, we got a look at the state of mental health in another region via GIG’s 2024 Wellbeing Report. Saudi-based insurance group GIG commissioned YouGov to survey people in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, and here's what they said:

📊 65% faced mental health challenges last year, with 34% reporting anxiety and 23% depression
🔍 62% self-diagnosed their issues
💬 While 63% say seeking help is stigma-free, 35% don’t know where to go for support
⚠️ Top stressors? Financial concerns (43%) and future worries (35%)

The mental health crisis won’t disappear in 2025. Support gaps are widening in many parts of the world, and people will welcome brands that step in to help. Two objectives for your organization to focus on:

🏬 Increased accessibility: Could you boost access and lower barriers to psychological services? Consider Dubai’s shopping malls offering on-site, walk-in centers for psychiatry and counseling

🛋️ Early intervention: What if you could help people find comfort and support before they reach a breaking point? Take inspiration from Zimbabwe’s Friendship Bench, where people can chat openly with trained community members