Guidelines soon on how to support staff with mental health challenges

Employers who are unsure about how to support staff with mental health challenges will be able to tap advice from a set of guidelines being developed by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council.

- Lee Li Ying

Employers who are unsure about how to support staff with mental health challenges will be able to tap advice from a set of guidelines being developed by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council. It will be launched by the first quarter of 2025.

Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang announced the guidelines at an awards ceremony held by mental health non-profit organisation Silver Ribbon on Oct 1 at PSB Academy's City Campus.

Pointing out that the document will be a useful resource for employers to help workers facing or recovering from mental health conditions, she said the guidelines can be distilled into three Rs: recognise, refer and reintegrate.

She said employees need to be educated on mental well-being and health to recognise the signs of such conditions, so the issue can be demystified and they can recognise that ups and downs are a part of life.

Employees should be aware of the early signs of mental health issues and initiate discussion with their supervisors to seek help. At the same time, supervisors should treat these discussions with sensitivity and maintain confidentiality, said Ms Gan.