Mental health crisis at work

OF late, the workplace has become a key battleground for mental health. A study by Relate Malaysia found that in 2018, 4.57 million working adults reported mental health issues with 29% of employees indicating that they have poor mental health, “Mental health protection for the workforce” (The Star, Aug 16, 2022).

The mental health crisis is not only a personal tragedy for employees but also an economic disaster for employers. Studies in Australia have shown that poor mental health is seven times more likely to make an employee unproductive and psychological distress reduces productivity by as much as 40% in some cases.