How can workplaces effectively support employees' mental health?

KUALA LUMPUR: With more employees back in the office now that the pandemic has eased, mental health support in the workplace is more important than ever before.

Speaking to Astro Awani on World Mental Health Day, Malaysian Mental Health Association President Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said it was crucial for companies to address psychological wellbeing as most adults spend a considerable amount of time in their respective workplaces.

“In Malaysia, studies prior to the pandemic have highlighted how productivity has been lost due to poor mental health at work in terms of absenteeism and staff turnover,” he noted.

“On a national level, the cost of mental health in the workplace to the economy was conservatively estimated to be RM14.4 billion or 1 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018.

“This may be a significantly higher figure by the year 2030 if mental health among working adults is not addressed.”

The 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey found that one out of three Malaysian adults struggled with mental health issues at any one time in their lives.

However, only 20 per cent of that number take the step to seek professional help.

“In the context of an organisation, this would mean that an average of 29 per cent of workers will experience poor mental health,” said Andrew.

Without effective support, he warned mental conditions could affect employees’ confidence and identity at work, as well as their capacity to work productively.

Psychological distress could also have implications on one’s physical wellbeing such as cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.

“It’s been well established that physical and mental health are very much related to each other. In fact, they are said to be two sides of the same coin.”

“In certain mental health conditions, a person may neglect to eat and that malnourishment can result in physical problems.

“Then there are cases where they tend to overeat. That can cause problems linked to diabetes, for example,” said Andrew, adding that many also turn to illicit substances or alcohol to cope with their distress.

All workers, he said, have the right to a safe and healthy working environment, and work-related mental health conditions are largely preventable.

Therefore, he urged all companies to invest in mental health initiatives for their human capital to build trust between business and staff.

This includes incorporating awareness programmes to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and increasing mental health literacy in the workplace by educating both managers and staff to safely respond to those facing mental health concerns.

“Nurturing a culture of transparency in the workplace is very important and it is perhaps the first step towards combating negative perceptions or associations of mental health problems in the workplace.”