Addressing Mental Health Challenges in the Manufacturing Sector in Malaysia

Employees in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector face considerable mental health challenges, including stress, depression, sleep problems, financial pressures, and interpersonal conflicts. These issues can have a detrimental impact on their overall well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity. PsyHome’s intervention aimed to address these issues through a comprehensive approach, improving mental health support for employees and boosting workplace morale and performance.

The Challenge

Employees in the manufacturing industry experienced a variety of mental health struggles, which included:

• A significant 68% of employees reported experiencing high levels of stress, resulting in burnout and decreased job performance.
• 45% of employees expressed feelings of sadness and hopelessness that hindered their focus and enthusiasm at work.
• 55% of employees reported poor sleep quality, leading to fatigue and reduced concentration.
• 40% of employees were burdened by financial stress, which affected their mental state and job satisfaction.
• 30% of employees experienced strained relationships with colleagues and family members, contributing to an unhealthy work-life balance.

These challenges significantly affected employees’ ability to perform effectively, leading to decreased productivity, higher absenteeism, and strained teamwork.

The PsyHome Solution

PsyHome, led by Mr. Yong and a team of expert psychologists, designed a tailored solution to address these challenges through a combination of workshops, training, and assessments:

• Wellness & Mental Health Workshops: These workshops focused on stress management, emotional regulation, mindfulness, conflict resolution, sleep hygiene, work-life balance (WLB), and coaching for work performance.
• Manager Training: Specific training for managers was provided to help them recognize signs of mental health issues and offer early intervention and support. Managers were equipped with Psychological First Aid (PFA) techniques to provide immediate assistance to employees in crisis.
• Monthly Wellness Talks: These sessions were designed to raise awareness about mental health, offering employees valuable tools to manage their well-being and create an open, supportive work environment.
• Employee Screening Assessments: Regular screening assessments were conducted to monitor employees’ mental health, ensuring early detection and intervention for issues like depression, stress, and burnout.

The Results

PsyHome’s intervention yielded positive and measurable results:

• Enhanced Managerial Support: Over 80% of managers reported feeling more confident in addressing mental health issues and offering the necessary support to employees.
• Higher Employee Engagement and Satisfaction: 70% of employees showed increased engagement with PsyHome’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, seeking support and utilizing available resources.
• Improved Productivity: Employees reported a 20% improvement in their overall productivity, attributing it to better mental health and enhanced focus at work.
• Positive Impact on Mental Health: 65% of employees reported feeling better equipped to manage their stress and emotions, resulting in improved mental health and greater job satisfaction.
• Reduced Absenteeism: Employee absenteeism due to mental health issues decreased by 15%, indicating improved employee well-being and resilience.
• Better Work-Life Balance: 60% of employees felt more in control of their work-life balance, with an increased sense of well-being and personal satisfaction.

Conclusion

PsyHome’s intervention in the manufacturing sector has proven to be highly effective in addressing the mental health challenges faced by employees. By providing specialised workshops, manager training, and proactive mental health assessments, PsyHome helped improve employee engagement, mental health, and productivity.

If your organisation is facing similar challenges and looking to improve the well-being of your employees, contact PsyHome for a tailored solution that addresses your specific needs and ensures long-term success.