In today’s fast-paced environment, taking care of our mental health is essential, particularly in the workplace. Whether you’re managing a team or overseeing a business, you recognize the significance of ensuring your employees’ mental well-being. When they feel mentally strong, they perform their best.

This article discusses workplace mental health and offers guidance for employers on how to foster their employees’ mental well-being.

Also read: Malaysia Di Tempat Ke-2 Negara Dengan Work Life Balance Paling Buruk Di Dunia

Are Malaysians facing challenges with mental health in the workplace?

Sadly, yes. A study by Relate Malaysia in 2018 found that 4.57 million working adults in Malaysia faced mental health issues, with 29% of them reporting poor mental health.

According to Malaysia’s Healthiest Workplace survey by AIA Vitality in 2019, many Malaysian workers were not getting enough sleep and were feeling overworked. About 51% experienced some form of work-related stress, and 53% slept less than seven hours a day. Shockingly, the survey also revealed that 45% of companies did not offer any support for mental health issues.

Our Wellness at Work report also showed that a majority of employees in Malaysia are struggling with burnout. About 58% said they felt extremely tired and overwhelmed in the last three months.

The importance of mental health in the workplace

Workplace mental health is highly significant for various reasons, particularly due to the profound connection between mental and physical well-being. Here’s why this connection is crucial:

1. It affects an employee’s overall well-being

Mental health plays a vital role in our overall health. Similar to how our physical well-being influences our productivity and mood, our mental well-being significantly affects our daily lives. When employees experience good mental health in the workplace, they often exhibit higher engagement, productivity, and job satisfaction.

2. It affects an employee’s productivity and performance

Having poor mental health can cause less work to get done, make it harder to make good decisions, and lower how well someone does their job. Employees with mental health problems might find it tough to focus, finish tasks on time, and do their work well. This can affect their team and the whole business.

3. It affects an employee’s physical health

Mental health issues like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression are connected to physical health problems. They can lead to unhealthy habits such as bad eating habits, not enough exercise, and more. These behaviors can cause physical issues like heart disease, weaker immune systems, and ongoing pain.

4. It leads to absenteeism and reduced productivity while at work

Mental health problems lead to employees missing work or being present but not fully productive (presenteeism). This is a big issue in Malaysia, where work culture is competitive and there’s a stigma around mental health. Companies lose about 73.3 days per employee because of these issues, costing each employer RM1.46 million every month.

5. It affects employee engagement and retention

When a workplace cares about mental health, it makes for a happier and more supportive atmosphere. Employees feel more involved, appreciated, and committed to their organization when they see their mental well-being being taken seriously. This can lead to fewer employees leaving and better loyalty to the company.

6. It offers advantages rather than expenses.

Although spending money on mental health programs for your employees might seem expensive at first, it actually pays off in the end. By lowering healthcare expenses, reducing staff turnover, and boosting productivity, the benefits outweigh the initial costs of supporting mental health.

What are effective ways for employers to enhance their employees’ mental well-being?

1. Open communication and education

Promote a culture where communication about mental health is open and judgment-free. Ensure employees feel comfortable discussing their mental well-being and know they can seek support when needed from their direct supervisor.

Providing mental health education and training can benefit everyone in the organization. It raises awareness, promotes dialogue, and reduces stigma surrounding mental health issues. Designate mental health advocates and regularly host educational sessions—consider scheduling lunchtime talks and workshops on relaxation techniques, stress management, emotional control, crisis handling, and more.

2. Flexible work-life balance

Encourage a healthy work-life balance by setting realistic work hour expectations, encouraging regular breaks, and discouraging prolonged overtime. Avoid demanding constant availability and responsiveness from employees, especially outside regular work hours.

Offering flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, and accommodations for employees dealing with mental health issues is essential. This enables them to handle their workloads efficiently while focusing on their personal well-being.

Promoting the use of vacation time is another effective way to support work-life balance. Taking time to connect with loved ones and pursue personal interests helps employees recharge and return to work refreshed.

3. Nurturing leadership and guidelines

Employees see their leaders as role models. It’s essential that your leadership team sets the tone by promoting a supportive work environment for mental health.

Leaders should actively discourage toxic productivity and the hustle culture, and demonstrate their commitment to these values through their own actions. If leaders are constantly working overtime, eating at their desks, and messaging team members during off-hours, they aren’t fostering a healthy workplace culture. This behavior also makes it challenging for employees to establish boundaries without fearing negative consequences.

In addition to leading by example, it’s important to train managers to recognize and address mental health issues and to establish clear mental health policies. When employees trust their managers enough to share personal challenges, it’s a significant step that requires a sensitive and confidential response, along with appropriate guidance.

4. Stress reduction and workload management

Do you regularly check in with your employees and hold weekly one-on-one meetings to discuss their workload management? According to the Harvard Business Review, employees who have limited or no one-on-one time with their manager are more likely to feel disconnected. Conversely, those who have twice as many one-on-ones as their peers are 67% less likely to feel disengaged.

One-on-one meetings are essential for identifying and addressing workplace stressors like heavy workloads, tight deadlines, or interpersonal conflicts. By promptly identifying and discussing these issues, you can effectively reduce stress for your employees.

5. Access to resources and services

Consider adding mental health coverage to your company’s healthcare plan so employees can attend consultations and treatments without financial worry. 

Since the pandemic, some Malaysian companies have enhanced mental health support. They provide free access to healthcare professionals who personalize therapy plans for employees.

You might also introduce wellness programs focusing on physical, mental, and emotional well-being, such as fitness classes, mindfulness sessions, or counseling services.

Additionally, connect employees with external resources like Befrienders Malaysia, Malaysian Mental Health Association or others for further support.

To conclude, we’re all human and we encounter challenges. It’s crucial to understand that it’s okay to feel not okay and it’s encouraged for your employees to seek support when they’re going through tough times. Ignoring issues or keeping emotions bottled up doesn’t benefit anyone in the long term.