The Invisible Illness

Often undetected or dismissed and left untreated, mental health issues at the workplace can lead to physical health and social issues as well as impact business bottom lines

- Lim Hong Meng

With rising work stress and the uptrend of mental health conditions, supporting employee mental wellness at the workplace has become increasingly important. According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, one in three Malaysians struggle with a mental health condition at any one time in their lives with an average of 29 per cent of workers suffering from poor mental health.

Studies have long shown a correlation between mental, emotional and physical health. According to Prof Dato’ Dr Andrew Mohanraj, president of the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA), depression and anxiety are closely associated with cardiovascular conditions like ischemic heart disease and hypertension and can lead to neglect, obesity and poor nutritional status. Meanwhile medical conditions like cancer, dementia and autoimmune diseases, eczema and irritable bowel syndrome are strongly associated with mental health conditions like clinical depression. Conversely, medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, metabolic and hormonal disorders, electrolyte derangements and chronic use of certain medications like steroids can mimic psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression.