Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological and social well -being. It affects how we think, feel and act. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well -being in which an individual is aware of his or her own abilities, is able to cope with the normal stresses of life, is able to work productively and beneficial, and is able to contribute to the community. Mental health is important at every stage of our lives, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood. It is the foundation of thinking, learning, communication, resilience and self -confidence.

Mental Illness, also known as Mental Disorders, can affect anyone. Mental illness is a health condition that involves changes in thoughts, emotions or behaviours that often cause difficulty in coping with the normal and routine stresses of life. A person can experience poor mental health without being diagnosed with a mental illness. The 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey showed that 4.2 million Malaysians aged 16 and above (29.2 per cent) struggle with mental health problems.

Wherever a person is, every individual is an employee, whether as a housewife, self-employed, salaried or as an employer. Therefore every individual cannot escape the stress of work, whether it is light, medium or heavy. The Covid-19 pandemic, further adds to the psychological impact on working individuals, either on the part of the employee himself or the employer. Workload and difficulty working are the main factors that cause stress or stress and if not controlled it will affect mental health until the occurrence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

Stress or pressure can come from within the individual himself; it is called an internal factor that is often influenced by the character of the individual. The characterization or personality of an individual that can easily cause stress or pressure is like a type A personality who always wants to be number one in every situation and feels himself always the best, feels right and envious if what is not achieved is not achieved. Other situations are like having a health problem or undergoing a medical procedure, poor communication, and always thinking negatively. While external factors are from the environment, workplace conditions, social relationships, finances or traumatic events.

What should we do to deal with stress at work?

Everyone has different perceptions and reactions to work stress. There is no one optimal level of stress and it produces the same reaction for everyone. An event can make a person feel threatened or aroused, give encouragement or cause rejection, happy or sad, depending on the extent to which the person himself understands and accepts the stressful situation. As an employee, the primary responsibility for curbing stress symptoms is to identify the source of negative stress, whether the stressor or stress is internal or external. The next action is to plan measures to overcome it called stress management strategies.

 

Stress Management Strategies:

1) Change the way of thinking that is by changing the way of seeing things better that is with positive thinking. Focus on your strengths, look for opportunities to succeed and change in a more positive way.

2) Change behaviour by being assertive in situations that require it. Do the job in an orderly manner by following the priorities in your life schedule. Remove stress disorders by taking time for yourself, calm down and think logically.

3) Change your lifestyle by adopting a healthy diet, not smoking or drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, a healthy sleep pattern and relaxing.

Therefore, if stress or pressure is not handled properly, it will cause unhealthy symptoms, in turn affecting the productivity of individuals and organizations. Stress management is the responsibility of each individual employee, and the employer can also play a role in helping to reduce or curb stressful situations in the workplace.

Referance:

1)https://www.mmgazette.com/stres-di-tempat-kerja-bahagian-1

2)https://www.myhealthmylife.com.my/sites/default/files/2020-09/Mental_Health_Booklet%28MLY%29.pdf

 

Prepared by :

Dr Siti Noor Azlidah Bt Ali

PERKHIDMATAN KESIHATAN PEKERJAAN PKU.

Date: 27/April/2022

Date of Input: 12/05/2022 | Updated: 12/05/2022 | izzatussofia