Workplace pressure, fear of stigma keep employees from seeking mental health help

KUALA LUMPUR: Excessive workloads, workplace pressure, and the fear of stigma are driving employees into depression and severe mental health conditions, with many afraid to seek help for fear of jeopardising their careers.

A 24-year-old private sector employee from Selangor, who wished to be known only as Nadia, shared her battle with chronic depression brought on by prolonged workplace stress.

"I sought treatment last July after my health deteriorated. The root cause of my chronic depression was an excessive workload and constant pressure from my employer to complete tasks immediately," she said.

Nadia said the pressure impaired her focus and led to recurring mistakes.

She was even issued a warning memo by her employer, who dismissed her explanations as negligence.

The lack of a strong workplace support system worsened her condition, leading to suicidal thoughts while driving or considering sleeping pill overdoses, which prompted her to seek medical treatment.

"Although I continue to work as usual after receiving treatment, I keep my diagnosis secret from my employer for fear of negative reactions and prejudice from colleagues," she said, urging employers to manage workloads reasonably and prioritise staff mental health.

For 38-year-old food delivery rider Muhamed, who has struggled with depression and anxiety disorders for several years, returning to full-time employment remains daunting.

"Unpredictable symptoms such as fatigue, confused thinking, and difficulty concentrating make it hard to meet job demands. When I worked as a supermarket cashier in my early twenties, my health frequently interfered with my performance," he said.

Muhamed, who turned to full-time food delivery in 2023 to support his wife and two children, said he feared asking for time off or sick leave as employers might not accept his condition.

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Universiti Putra Malaysia Institute for Social Science Studies Youth and Community Wellbeing Laboratory head Dr Aini Azeqa Ma'rof said workers facing mental health issues should not be sidelined or discriminated against.

She suggested that employers take proactive measures, including adjusting tasks to suit employees' needs and granting flexible working hours for treatment sessions.

"This plan should be discussed with the employee and reviewed based on their progress. Adjustments do not mean waiving all responsibilities, but creating conditions that allow tasks to be performed effectively," she said.

Aini Azeqa added that employers must safeguard worker confidentiality and review workloads, staffing shortages, workplace bullying, harassment, and role ambiguity.

She noted that the Guidelines on Assessment and Management of Psychosocial Risks at Work (PRisMA) by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health provide a framework to identify, evaluate, and manage workplace psychosocial risks.