Caring for Mental Health

In commemoration of World Health Day, L’Oréal Indonesia hosted the Beauty That Moves event themed Mental Health Matters. The event discussed the latest developments in mental health, the positive correlation between beauty and psychological well-being, as well as various programs designed to address these issues.

Mental health issues continue to be a major global and national concern. By 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that anxiety and mental health disorders could become the next pandemic. Meanwhile, data from the Indonesia National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS) indicates that approximately 15.5 million (34.9%) Indonesian adolescents experience mental health issues.

“For L’Oréal, both globally and in Indonesia, mental health is inseparable from our business. The desire to look good through beauty products is closely linked to the need to feel good. Beauty has the power to soothe, provide psychological protection, and allow self-expression. Therefore, There is a close relationship between beauty and mental health,” said Melanie Masriel, Chief of Corporate Affairs, Engagement and Sustainability, L’Oréal Indonesia.

According to a 2025 survey by NielsenIQ, 69% of Indonesian consumers feel that emotional and mental health is more important now than it was five years ago. However, 48% still face difficulties in accessing mental health support. 

Karina NegaraB.A., M.Psi.,Psychologist & Co-Founder of KALM stated, “Amidst the rising challenges of mental health, many still do not seek professional help. The three main reasons why young consumers hesitate to seek professional support aer the '3Ms'-Mahal(cost), Malu(stigma), and Macet(accessibility barriers).”

In line with L’Oréal's vision to 'Create the beauty that moves the world', various product innovations, research and science, and social programs advocate for key focus areas. One of these is supporting the mental health resilience of employees, business partners, and consumers. Moreover, 88% of women and 80% of men state that beauty helps them feel more confident, while 85% of women and 78% of men state that skincare and beauty products help them love themselves more.

Creating a Work Environment and Culture that Supports Mental Health

For L’Oréal Indonesia, employee well-being is a priority. Therefore, various programs and policies are introduced to support the mental health of every employee as part of their daiy routine.

• Share & Care Program 

L’Oréal's commitment to providing preventive support and care for all life challenges, focusing on physical, mental, and emotional health. Key initiatives include:

1. Domestic Violence Policy: L’Oréal Indonesia has a specific policy to provide support and assistance to employees who are victims of domestic violence—a concrete reflection of the company's commitment to safety and empathy in the workplace.

2. Recharge Week: For one week, L’Oréal Indonesia employees are given the opportunity to participate in various activities such as workshops, sports competitions, seminars, and other stress-relief activities.

• Program Simplicity 2: Disconection and Mindful Working

Through the Simplicity 2 program, L’Oréal Indonesia fosters a more efficient, simple, and balanced work culture. This program aims to help employees reduce non-essential workloads and encourage a balance between productivity and mental health. Initiatives under Simplicity 2 include:

1. Monday Morning Warm Up: Every Monday morning, from 08:00 to 12:00, no meetings are allowed. This dedicated time allows employees to focus on preparing their to-do lists and work priorities for the week. 

2. Disconnection: Encouraging employees to disconnect from screens and work after office hours to fully recover and rest.

3. 45 Minutes of Meeting: Every meeting is limited to a maximum of 45 minutes to maintain focus and prevent digital fatigue.

4. Clear Meeting Agenda: Every meeting must have a clear agenda to ensure discussions are effective and efficient.

• Employee Assistance Program

An initiative designed to provide holistic support for the physical, mental, and emotional health of all employees. Through this program, every employee can easily access professional services for free and confidentially.

Key services include:

1. Digital Coaching: Employees can consult directly with professionals, such as Medical Advisors, Psychologists, Nutritionists, Fitness Trainers, and Financial Advisors, who are ready to help maintain health and well-being through the Naluri application.

2. 24/7 Counselling Support: For employees needing a space to share or facing personal challenges, professional counseling services with psychologists are accessible anytime and anywhere.

3. 1-On-1 Consultation: In addition to chat sessions, employees can schedule private video consultations with professional coaches. All conversations are confidential and secure.

4. Health Assessment: Through a brief assessment, employees can better understand their physical ang mental conditions. The result help coaches design personalized health and well-being strategies.

5. Community Resources: Employees can access various learning materials via the Naluri app — ranging from fitness exercise videos and daily self-care tips to easy-to-implement healthy lifestyle guides.

6. 24/7 Toll-Free Careline Service: Employees can contact the Careline anytime for immediate assistance.

Not Just Employees, We Care for Those Who Care for Others

Business partners are also a key focus for L’Oréal. Globally, around 65% of hairdressers report experiencing anxiety, burnout, or depression throughout their careers. They spend approximately 2,000 hours per year talking to clients to provide social and emotional support, alongside the pressure to consistently deliver perfect hair coloring and styling. L’Oréal extends its support to the business ecosystem, particularly hair stylists who serve as the vanguard of the beauty industry, through the Head Up program—the first global mental health initiative dedicated to hairdressers.

Indra Tanudarma, Head of Education Performance Professional Products Division explained, “Head Up is the first mental health program for hairdressers, aimed at addressing their mental health and well-being. Through the Head Up program, L’Oréal Indonesia's hair pro provide free mental health training for hair pros and hairdressers within L’Oréal's business ecosystem. In the Head Up program, hairdressers receive the Head Up Notebook to help them build resilience by practicing what they learn during training. To date, L’Oréal Indonesia has provided mental health support to more than 50,000 hairdressers globally, including over 2,300 hairdressers in Indonesia.”

Raising Consumer Awareness to Collectively Care for Mental Health

Beyong employees and business partners, L’Oréal also provides consumers with access to safeguard their own mental health and that of their loved ones. Maybelline Brave Together is a global initiatives by Maybelline with a mission to eliminate the stigma surrounding conversations about anxiety and depression, and to facilitate easier access to mental health support.

Quincy Wongso, Senior Brand Community and Experience Manager Maybellinesaid, “This initiative aligns with Maybelline's mission to build self-confidence in every individual so they can express their beauty. We understand that makeup can be a part of that self-confidence, but everything must start from within. Through the Brave Together program, Maybelline and KALM present mental health support initiatives in the form of confidential counseling sessions with professional counselors, as well as Brave Talk training. Since 2002, Brave Together has supported more than 100,000 people through digital and face-to-face training, and facilitated 70,000 counseling sessions with KALM” 

“We hope the public becomes increasingly aware that mental health issues in Indonesia remain high, and cooperation and support from all of us are needed to help address them. We must not stop talking about mental health. Keep the conversation alive and help provide a way out for those you know who are struggling. One of the ways is through the Brave Together program, which can be accessed confidentially by anyone on their smartphone, free of charge, and handled by professionals,” said Karina NegaraB.A., M.Psi.

“Efforts to maintain someone's mental health require the roles of various parties; starting from self-awareness to advocating mental health topics through innovations and specialized programs. The goal is to eliminate three challenges: stigma, accessibility, and cost. We hope our efforts for employees, business partners, and consumers can inspire all parties to play a role in address mental health issues,” concluded Melanie Masriel.