‘Workers reluctant to talk about mental health issues’

MALAYSIAN Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said employers find it hard to help employees who are facing mental health issues as most of them are reluctant to talk about it due to social stigma.

He said this in response to Malaysia’s Healthiest Workplace survey by AIA Vitality which showed 53% of employees at risk of developing mental health problems, and 44% of employers are not providing any assistance on the matter.

Shamsuddin told China Press on Wednesday that society’s negative attitude towards people with mental problems make it hard for employees to confide in their bosses or colleagues on such issues.

He said even if employees are willing to seek medical help, employers will not know the state of these employees’ mental health if the latter do not reveal their problems.

“The employers won’t know their employees’ problems, and they won’t be able to offer any help,” he said.

When told that employees are reluctant to disclose their mental health problems for fear of losing their jobs, Shamsuddin said most employers are willing to help, pointing out that these employees are covered by Socso.

On the survey’s indication that 64% of employees lack exercise and that employers do not provide sports facilities, Shamsuddin urged the government to provide tax breaks for employers to provide sports facilities, such as gyms, for their staff.