Guidelines on Mental Health at Work by WHO

Mental health and work are greatly intertwined. Everyone, including working people from various fields, has the right to achieve the highest standard of mental health at work. Ever since the pandemic hit, employees’ mental well-being awareness topic has been increasingly popular due to the challenges such as the change in the working environment and situation, financial concerns, the fear of being laid off as well as the risk of exposure to covid 19. According to Relate Mental Health Malaysia(2020), when compared to employees without mental health concerns, those with mental health issues are around 21–40% less productive at work and are more prone to taking time off. This can be seen in how mental health concerns affect work productivity greatly due to low motivation.

Even though the pandemic situation seems to be under control now and things are generally back to normal, it is undeniable that mental health issues affect both employees and employers and, in turn, the economy. According to Relate Mental Health Malaysia (as cited in Muslim, 2022), “On a national level, the cost of mental health issues in the workplace to the economy is conservatively estimated to be RM14.46 billion or one percent of Malaysia’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”. The decrease in productivity has resulted in an increase in absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover which hugely impacts the overall business costs.

Attached below is a guideline on mental health at work prepared by World Health Organization (WHO) which covers evidence-based interventions and proper recommendations in the following areas: organisational interventions, manager and employee training, individual interventions, return-to-work programmes for absenteeism associated with mental health conditions and gaining employment programmes for employees living with mental health conditions.

On top of that, due to the advancement of technologies adapting to the current situation, everyone can access their appointments with respective counsellors or psychologists anywhere with Bello - Your Wellness Marketplace by Eunoia Mind Wellness Hub ! Mental health check-ins are made accessible and convenient with Bello. Do check them out!

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References:

Relate Mental Health Malaysia. (2020). Workplace mental health: The business costs. Retrieved from https://relate.com.my/the-business-costs-of-mental-health/

Muslim, U. S. (2022). Mental Health in Workplace. Jabatan Perhubungan Perusahaan Malaysia. Retrieved from https://jpp.mohr.gov.my/files/pdf/notes/MENTAL%20HEALTH%20IN%20WORKPLACE.pdf