Introduce Guidelines For Mental Health At Workplace, Govt Told

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The government should introduce guidelines to promote mental health care in workplaces, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) said Sunday.
Its Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the present working environment was very competitive and stressful and many workers would likely suffer from anxiety and depression in relation to their jobs.
"Attempted suicide cases involving workers are on the rise in recent years," he said in a statement today.
Lee said suicide has become the third leading death among Malaysians aged 15 to 34 and the number of people contemplating suicide in the 18 to 40 age bracket was also on the rise.
He said it was important to ensure happiness and well-being among workers and their families through initiatives to promote good mental health in workplaces from the viewpoint of the sound mental and social development of the country.
"It might be timely to consider introducing guidelines for mental health care promotion to enable implementation of basic measures by employers at workplaces, suited for the practical conditions of each enterprise," he said.
Lee said Niosh suggest that employers focus on the following areas when drawing up the mental health care programme:
+ Identify problems at workplaces related to poor mental health.
+ Secure the necessary resources to develop mental health care programme
+ Take measures to protect workers' privacy
+ Take other measures necessary for mental health promotion among workers and improve work environment
Lee said a healthy and educated workplace would ensure improved productivity.