Course Content

Overview

The leading cause of disability at the workplace today are no longer physical issues but mental health related challenges. The World Health Organisation has further affirmed this fact by stating that depression is set to become the second most prevalent disease by the year 2025, second only to heart disease.

Prospective employees also often look at the well-being related benefits provided by their prospective employer; be they in the form of incentives for adopting a healthy lifestyle, providing employees with personal time-off and/or support provided by the organisation where an employee experiences mental health challenges – be they in the form of stress, anxiety and/or depression.

Hence, there is a pressing need for employers today to implement systems and best practices for inculcating a mentally healthy workforce. This one-day program is designed to provide you with a holistic review of employee well-being (primarily mental well-being). It will address this topic from a HR, legal as well as a psychological perspective.

 

Some of the questions that will be answered during this session include:

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1. Does Malaysia’s Industrial Courts recognise depression as a prolonged medical illness that can qualify for a medical board-out?

2. What are some recent legislative changes introduced by the government in managing mental health issues?

3. Should employers have a separate prolonged illness policy for managing mental health issues?

4. What is the right of a person to have his/her right to privacy protected with regard to any underlying mental health issue he/she is suffering from?

5. Can an employee suffering from depression due to workplace stress/harassment successfully sue his/her employer for the emotional suffering he/she endured?

6. What is the best practice to adopt when dealing with an employee who claims his/her poor performance is due to depression/stress/anxiety?

7. What are some proactive steps you can take to protect your mental health?, and

8. How to adopt some positive psychology intervention techniques when having discussions with a subordinate/colleague suffering from depression/anxiety/stress?

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Guest Speakers

1. Tommy Chen, Senior Consultant Psychologist, International Psychology Centre, Kuala Lumpur

2. Y.A. Peter Iruthayaraj D Pappusamy (former Industrial Court Chairman)

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AGENDA

 

9.00am to 10.45am

The Current Challenges Surrounding Mental Health Issues

• Statistics surrounding the growth of mental health issues in the workplace and what they mean to organisations

• Differentiating depression from sadness and/or anxiety

• Common challenges employers face today when dealing with mental health issues

• Do Industrial Courts recognise depression/mental disorders as a prolonged illness?

• The Need for a Separate Policy for Managing Mental Health Issues at the Workplace (what needs to be included in this policy)

• Can workplace harassment and sexual harassment lead to an employee successfully suing an organisation for emotional/mental distress?

 

11.00am to 1.00pm

Positive Psychological Intervention Techniques for Managing Depression/Mental Health Issues

(Presentation by Tommy Chan, Senior Consultant Psychologist, International Psychology Centre, Kuala Lumpur)

• Defining mental health and mental illness

• Symptoms of mental illness for a) depression, and b) anxiety

• Myths and Facts of Mental Health

• The effect of imbalances in neurotransmitter levels on depression and anxiety and how to find out your neurotransmitter level

• How to treat mental illness

• When to seek help from a psychologist.

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2.00pm to 3.30pm

The Legal Landscape in Malaysia on Mental Health Issues

(Presentation by Y.A Peter Iruthayaraj D Pappusamy, former Industrial Court Chairman)

• Understanding the current legislations related to mental health issues in Malaysia (The Mental Health Act 2001, Mental Capacity Act 2005)

• Understanding the recent amendments to the Mental Health Act (Mental Health Amendment Bill 2023)

• What are an employer’s obligations when dealing with an employee with serious mental health issues such as major depression and/or bipolar disorder

• Best Practices for dealing with the authorities when a mental health issue leads to serious health/safety problems at the workplace (what an employer needs to do)

• Can a person be involuntarily admitted to a mental hospital?

 

3.45pm to 5.00pm

HR Best Practices for Creating a Positive Work Environment (Practical Steps Organisations Can Take)

• Ensuring Employees Have The Right Moral Compass When Dealing With Personal/Workplace Challenges (How to Guide Employees to Do the Right Thing) 

• Why integrity is the foundation for positive mental health

• Exercise – know what your strongest character traits are and how to use it to purposefully to create a happier life

• Best practices to foster a positive work climate for yourself and the organisation.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call us at 03-4266 9191 for any inquiries you may have during our official business hours from 8.30am to 5.30pm (Mondays to Fridays). Alternatively, you can send us an email to suha@lshumancapital.com / audrey@lshumancapital.com

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