55,169 civil servants flagged ‘high risk’ in mental health screening

KUCHING (Sept 24): The psychological wellbeing of civil servants must be treated as a workplace safety and occupational health priority following the identification of 55,169 officers as being at high risk in a national mental health screening, said Alliance for A Safe Community (Ikatan).

Its chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the figure, identified through the MyPsyD screening system, represented less than one per cent of Malaysia’s 1.7 million civil servants, but was nevertheless a serious warning that mental health could no longer be treated as a private or secondary concern within the public service.

“Mental health must be recognised as an essential workplace safety and occupational health priority, alongside protection from physical hazards,” he said.

However, Lee stressed that the screening results should be interpreted responsibly, as being classified ‘high risk’ did not necessarily mean an individual had been clinically diagnosed with a mental disorder.

“It is a warning signal that should prompt timely, confidential and appropriate support, assessment and intervention,” he said.

Ikatan welcomed the Public Service Commission’s (JPA) initiatives to strengthen psychological support, develop mental health guidelines for the civil service and introduce a Happiness Index.

Lee said these measures should be translated into practical action across every ministry, department and government agency.

He outlined five priorities: making early intervention the norm; training managers and department heads to recognise warning signs; incorporating mental health into workplace safety and occupational health programmes; ensuring confidentiality and trust; and giving prevention as much attention as treatment.

“Officers identified as being at risk should receive confidential, professional and timely support, with appropriate referrals for further assessment where necessary.

“Supervisors should also be equipped to respond to stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, workplace bullying and other psychosocial risks without stigmatising or punishing affected employees.

“Psychological hazards should be assessed alongside physical hazards. A safe workplace is not one that prevents physical injuries only; it must also protect psychological wellbeing,” he said.

Lee said civil servants must feel safe seeking help without fear that doing so would affect their careers, reputations or employment prospects.

He added that factors contributing to psychological distress, including workload, long working hours, workplace bullying, inadequate staffing, poor work-life balance and organisational culture, should also be examined.

Ikatan also called on every ministry and agency to have a clear mental health action plan, including access to trained psychological support, peer-support mechanisms, regular psychosocial risk assessments and clear pathways for urgent intervention.

“The wellbeing of civil servants is directly connected to the quality and resilience of public service delivery. We cannot expect people to serve the nation effectively if their own psychological wellbeing is neglected,” Lee said.

“The message should therefore be simple: mental health is health, mental health is workplace safety, and seeking help is a sign of responsibility—not weakness.”

He called for a whole-of-government approach in which psychological wellbeing became an integral part of a safe, healthy and resilient public service.

civil servants lead Lee Lam Thye mental health occupational health onsite workplace safety