Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar in his World Mental Health Day’s message called for individuals to take responsibility for each other’s mental health.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration and evidence-based interventions at the workplace, ensuring every employee has the opportunity to thrive.
“Every year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated globally on October 10 to increase public awareness on the importance of mental health and encouraging open discussion about mental health as well as to reduce stigma among society,” said the minister.
He added, “The theme of World Mental Health Day is ‘It’s Time to Prioritise Mental Health at the Workplace’. It was chosen to highlight the importance of mental health at the workplace whereby a safe and healthy work environment can act as a protective factor for mental health.
“Unhealthy workplace conditions, including stigma and harassment, can severely impact mental health and the overall quality of life, resulting in decreased productivity. While work is essential and beneficial, unresolved job-related issues can lead to mental health problems.”
The minister outlined challenges that contribute to burnout, including bullying, excessive stress, poor work-life balance, and inadequate compensation. Unmanaged burnout can result in absenteeism and frequent sick leave among others, he said.
“Globally, mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, cost an estimated USD1 trillion annually and lead to 12 billion lost workdays.”
He highlighted, “For the good of each individual and also the interest of government and private bodies, policies that prioritise the mental health of employees is important to be implemented.”
To address these challenges, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham stressed the need for policies prioritising employee mental health.
Initial steps include fostering an environment where workers can discuss mental health openly without fear of judgement, encouraging positive relationships through team-building activities and ensuring non-discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions.
He emphasised the importance of trained managers who can implement effective mental health programmes and the need for trained counsellors at workplaces.
He shared, “Good mental health is in general a valuable asset for individuals, families and society towards Brunei Vision 2035 and needs to be nurtured at all levels of society. I would like to remind citizens and residents to use a holistic and integrated approach in maintaining good mental health, including maintaining spiritual health through istiqomah in religious activities such as prayer, reciting Al-Quran and zikir; maintaining physical health through exercise and a healthy food intake as well as sufficient sleep; and maintaining social health such as spending time with friends and family.
“It is also important to identify and establish healthy social boundaries, as well as reducing spending time online; avoiding drugs or alcohol; learning new skills and gaining new positive experiences. It is also important to discuss problems and matters with individuals a person trusts. People with symptoms or mental health illness, can visit the nearest health clinic or call Talian Harapan 145.”
The minister also expressed, “Alhamdulillah, citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam are fortunate as His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam always prioritises mental health issues.
“The Knowledge Convention 2024 will address mental health issues, with a new book, ‘Amalan Penjagaan Kesejahteraan Minda dan Emosi: Buku Panduan Doa dan Zikir’, providing guidance on maintaining mental health.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (MoH) particularly through joint efforts of the Department of Psychiatry Services, Clinical and Community Psychological Services and Health Promotion Centre has also taken the initiative to organise roadshows across all ministries in the Sultanate throughout the year starting from last year’s World Mental Health Day to provide an opportunity to openly discuss mental health and reduce stigma among the workers.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has also worked closely with the MoH to strengthen integrated treatment in addressing mental health problems. – James Kon
