PETALING JAYA: There should be policies at workplaces to help staff combat depression since many Malaysians spend at least eight hours a day at work.
The Health Ministry’s Mental Health Promotion Advisory Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said this could be done via the occupational safety and health committees already established in companies.
“As per the Occupational Safety and Health Act, every company with more than 40 employees must establish a committee to safeguard their workers’ safety and well-being.
“Perhaps these companies could amend policies to include mental health issues instead of just physical health,” he said when contacted.
Many depression sufferers also end up being suicidal, with 21,507 people contacting Befrienders Kuala Lumpur last year and over 5,000 of them contemplating suicide.
Lee said workers’ mental health condition should be a part of employers’ concern and that it was up to them to refer for counselling a subordinate found to be suffering from depression.
MTUC president Mohd Khalid Atan also agreed that companies should look into policies that give importance to mental health.
“They could start with a system that ensures their workers undergo mental health checks every six months or one year.
“Mental health at the workplace is important as many of us spend at least eight hours a day in the office.
“It will be a good move if companies initiate a mental health monitoring system to reduce workplace stress,” he said.
