MENTAL health problems are expected to become the second-most common health problem for Malaysians after heart disease in 2020.
Based on the latest National Health and Morbidity Survey, three out of every 10 adults aged 16 and above in our nation will suffer from mental health problems.
What many people do not comprehend is the effects mental health problems can have on the economic performance of a country. The cost of mental health problems in the workplace to our economy was estimated at RM14.46 billion in 2018.
We can conclude that the feeling of worry over socio-economic problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has intensified and penetrated every level of society.
Many non-essential businesses ceased their operations as a result of the Movement Control Order (MCO) that was first implemented in March which saw many being laid off. Unemployed people will feel uncertain and insecure, which ultimately undermines their mental health leading to depression or anxiety.
The MCO also has a negative impact on people with severe mental illness. Because of anxiety, fear and social rhythm disorders toward the pandemic, people with previous mental illnesses are at greater risk of relapse.
The MCO also forces people to stay at a physical, social distance to avoid infection, so people need to stay at home for a longer period. If one is already living in a toxic home environment, spending more time at home can be stressful and can lead to mental health problems.
A YouGov Omnibus survey in 2019 found more than 36 per cent of Malaysian women had experienced sexual harassment. According to Dr Colleen Cullen, a licensed clinical psychologist, sexual harassment often triggers anxiety, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Another recent study by the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) found low-income people have higher rates of mental health problems and chronic diseases. Similar trends were found in mental health data in the study by Social Inequality and Health Malaysia.
Keeping busy, but with less social media activity, can distract from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression and anxiety. Meditation practices can help one stay calm in the face of emotional storms. Despite all the problems, we should focus on what we can change, accept what we cannot control, remain positive all the time and strive to live according to our values.
Employers have the responsibility to ensure the mental health of their employees is well balanced, as most employees spend a third of their day with their job. They can also provide support through programmes such as allowing vacations, supporting virtual social activities, encouraging work-life balance and so on to keep employees physically and mentally healthy.
They should also create a healthy work environment, and provide workplace consultation for their employees to discuss any problems in helping them find their own solutions to problems or better ways to manage them. This would certainly increase worker productivity and reduce costs associated with turnover, absenteeism, compensation and medical claims.
There is also a need to strengthen communication between employers and employees to enhance mutual understanding. When employees are stressed or frustrated, employers need to practice good listening skills.
Our country has a severe shortage of clinical psychologists, so very few people have access to government mental health services. Mental health specialists in government hospitals are also limited. This figure is alarmingly low, with only one psychiatrist per 100,000 people, and in 2018 the public health service employed just 15 clinical psychologists.
Thus, there is an urgent need to increase human resources, including professionals both academic and clinical and infrastructure capacity to meet future needs. The government can build better mental health networks in the community, carry out community rehabilitation and prevention work, and improve the ab
ility of patients to return to society.
A clear example is increasing the number of health clinics and mobile teams to offer home-based services to mental health patients. There's also a need to strengthen online counselling services by establishing a more integrated, government funded 24-hour acute crisis centre that can communicate directly with regional mental health services.
Mental health problems in the workplace should be addressed. One suggestion could be to create more consulting positions in government departments such as federal and state agencies to help those under stress.
The writers are part of the research team of EMIR Research, an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times