Address Mental, Health Issues At Workplaces, Says Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) wants action be taken to address mental and health issues at workplaces involving employers, employees and relevant authorities.
Niosh Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the neglect of mental health and psychological factors at workplaces was not only detrimental to an individual worker but also directly affects efficiency, effectiveness and output of any enterprise.
"Mental health issues at workplaces must be given due attention as the productivity of staff of any organisation depends on their mental health," he said in a statement Sunday.
Lee said more can be done for the mentally-ill in the country, not only in terms of treatment, counselling and care but also support for their next-of-kin and other benefits.
He suggested more benefits to the mentally-ill such as insurance coverage which is now denied to them.
He also proposed income tax relief be given to parents or relatives taking care of the mentally-ill and better health care services for such patients in government hospitals.
Most importantly, he said, all forms of discrimination must be removed against people who have recovered from mental illness so that they can be successfully reintegrated into society.