KUALA LUMPUR: A mental health policy for the workplace is being planned to create a conducive, safe and harmonious working environment in line with Malaysia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Action Plan, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).
The Health Minister said that a technical advisory committee for the National Mental Health Programme has been established to coordinate mental health activities and services.
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“The ministry will continue to strengthen its efforts through prevention strategies, early detection and community support, rather than relying solely on reactive measures.
“A more proactive approach to prevention, including through behavioural change interventions (behavioural insight-nudging), will continue to be enhanced,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
As for civil servants experiencing mental health issues, Dzulkefly said his ministry had collaborated with the Public Service Department to ensure continued interventions for those identified as being at risk of mental and psychological health issues.
Individuals, including civil servants requiring assistance may seek mental health services at healthcare facilities nationwide, including 1,116 health clinics, 70 hospitals and 40 community mental health centres, he said.
To improve access to mental health support, the ministry has established the HEAL 15555 mental health crisis helpline, which provides emotional support, psycho-education and early intervention for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis through tele-counselling services, he added.
Dzulkefly was responding to a question by Datuk Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) on the government’s readiness to make mental health as a national agenda across ministries through the formulation of an integrated intervention policy.
This is in view of recent reports revealing that more than 40,000 civil servants are facing critical psychological health issues, Alias said.
