Stress and workplace depression must be addressed, says mental health association

KLANG: The Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) is urging employers to pay heed to the mental health needs of their staff and to view workplace depression as a legitimate problem.

The association's president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said it was usually work-related stress that led employees to suffer emotional meltdowns and other forms of negative behaviour.

He said workplace depression was the number two cause of disability in the workplace globally.

“Sadly, it remains largely unrecognised, unacknowledged and undetected due to ignorance, fear and stigma associated with psychological distress, which is often seen as a sign of weakness or character flaw," added Dr Mohanraj.

“Some workplace stress is normal, and, at times, is also seen as a driver to improve performance.

“However, excessive stress can actually be counterproductive, resulting in poor performance, bad interpersonal relationship as well as duress to emotional and physical health," he said.

Dr Mohanraj was commenting on a recent viral video on social media, in which a manager in a telecommunications company is seen and heard screaming at two employees.

It is believed that she was livid with her two colleagues for their purported underperformance.

Ensuing reports say the manager has since been suspended indefinitely.

Dr Mohanraj said, given such incidents, employers must learn to identify symptoms of psychological stress and depression among employees to prevent meltdowns.

He said employers, and employees alike, were perhaps hesitant in seeking help because of the lack of understanding about mental healthcare.

“Psychological stress or depression doesn’t equate to what is commonly termed as ‘madness’ with florid psychoses," he explained.

Given this, he added, the MMHA was organising various events to reach out to and build a bridge between the organisation and the public at large.

One of such activities, said Dr Andrew, was the MMHA’s Mind Run scheduled for Oct 6 in commemoration with the World Mental Healthcare Day.

“We hope to reach out to the general public and tell them there is nothing to be ashamed of to seek help when experiencing mental stress,’’ said Dr Andrew.

The Mind Run starts at 5pm on Oct 6 and there are other surprise attractions at the venue Technology Park Malaysia.

For those who are interested in participating, please sign up at: https://www.ticket2u.com.my/event/11332/2018-mind-run-carnival