More Benefits Must Be Given To Mentally-ill Workers

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) Sunday called for more benefits for mentally-ill workers such as insurance coverage which is now denied to them.
President Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said income tax relief for parents or relatives who have to take care of them and better healthcare services in government hospital are other benefits that should be considered for them.
"(We) have to remove all forms of discrimination against people who have recovered from mental illness so that they can be successfully reintegrated into society just like we want to see rehabilitated drug dependants get back into the mainstream of society," he said in a statement.
Lee pointed out that mental health problems, especially stress-related ones among Malaysians, were a matter of serious concern and need to be addressed urgently to avoid problems like sudden anger and road rage.
"Niosh shares the Health Ministry's views and advocates that urgent steps be taken to address mental health issues at workplaces involving employers, employees and the relevant authorities," he said.
He said the neglect of mental health and psychosocial factors at workplaces was not only detrimental to the individual worker but also directly affects efficiency, effectiveness and output of any enterprise.
"Mental health is not just about mental illness. It is a feeling of well-being, ability to cope with life's many challenges and to have positive attitude towards oneself," he said.
Lee said mental health would affect employee performance, frequent illness, absenteeism, accidents and staff turnover.
"Mental health should no longer be ignored in our community. On the contrary it should be given adequate attention in relation to other health problems," he added.