How KEO connected mental, financial and social wellbeing
2025 WINNER · Best initiatives in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar
KEO’s winning country entries reflected an expanded view of wellbeing. Employee feedback and support-service data pointed to pressures around stress, finances and social connection, prompting a model that brought these needs together.
What they did
The approach combined professional counselling with a network of trained colleagues, local social activities and financial education. Mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing became four connected pillars.
KEO maintained two Employee Assistance Programmes and promoted its network of 73 Mental Health First Aiders across locations. Sports and social groups created opportunities for connection, while specialist sessions covered financial planning and other issues employees had raised. Remote access helped include a geographically dispersed workforce.
What the entry shows
The Qatar submission reported organisation-wide support figures including 515 counselling sessions and satisfaction of 91%. These figures are not a count of Qatar-only users. It also described the growth of local and global social groups from none to seven.
Survey feedback reported stronger workplace connections among participants. As internal feedback, it provides insight into experience without isolating which element of the programme produced each change.
What others can learn
Employees’ concerns rarely fit into one neat category. Financial pressure, isolation and mental health can interact, so a range of routes into support can be more useful than a single activity.
KEO’s example also shows the importance of local connection within a shared organisational approach.
Based on the original 2025 mentl awards submission. Figures and observations are those reported in the entry.
Explore more stories behind the mentl awards →
Be in the room at the mentl awards 2026. Join us on 27 November at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. Explore the gala and book your place →
