PETALING JAYA: Good mental health is directly related to work performance while an unhealthy one can lead to hindrance in basic work necessities like brain fog, fatigue and demotivation, according to employees.

M. Laksmi, who works as an executive in Subang Jaya, said mental health issues resulted not only in subpar quality work but also costs a lot as mental health treatment is an expensive affair.

“It may not be a viable option for individuals to explore should they feel the need to seek help. Companies offering mental health provisions would help ease the burden and help people take the first step towards getting help.

“This happened to me. I used the capped amount from the company and after it finished, I decided to pursue the sessions on my own but at a reduced consulting hour, so I could still seek the help needed at my own financial pace,” she said in response to the importance of good mental health at the workplace.

Digital Marketing Executive April Wong, 32, from Kepong said that maintaining a healthy mindset opens up more opportunities and work possibilities.

Even when faced with a heavy workload, having the right support can make it manageable, she added.

“Just like in our studies, we put in effort and learn how to support one another. This is a positive form of stress. It helps build bonds and a sense of belonging in the workplace.

“However, external stress caused by bad managers, denial of effort, and humiliation can lead subordinates to express themselves less,” she said.

On whether there should be a capped amount provided by a company as part of its medical allocation, Wong considers mental health to be under necessity.

She said some companies provide counsellors to support mental well-being, but this does not address the real problem.

“Stress can arise from family issues or toxic work politics. While employees must find a balance between work and personal life for family matters, work politics may occur due to immature colleagues or ineffective managers,” she said.

“Ultimately, it’s HR’s responsibility to ensure a healthy work environment for all colleagues.”

Communications officer Iris Mohamed 31, from Ulu Kelang said that employers should provide mental health medical provisions with a capped yearly amount.

She said there is a rising mental health problem at workplaces – which should be looked at, especially anxiety caused by pressure from employers.

“If they give such an allocation, at least we know that mental health issues are being recognised and supported by our employers,” she said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/07/boosting-employees-well-being-means-better-work