Public Service Department Says 40,000 Civil Servants at Serious Risk of Developing Mental Health Issues

The Public Service Department (PSD) recently announced that over 40,000 civil servants in the country are at serious risk of facing mental health problems and need quick intervention to prevent more serious issues.

In a statement shared on Facebook, Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan bin Haji Abdul Aziz, the Director-General of Public Service (KPPA), mentioned that the research was carried out using the Civil Servant Psychological Health Digital Profiling System (MyPsyD).

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It helps the public get a clearer picture of their well-being

The International Conference on Psychological Well-Being held in conjunction with the 2024 Public Service Psychology Conference (ICOPW2024), with the theme “Tracing SDG3: Toward Malaysian Well-Being MADANI”, serves as an ideal platform for public officials to support key government initiatives such as the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMKe-12), CIVIL Malaysia, and CIVIL Economy, all of which aim to enhance community well-being.

Wan Ahmad mentioned how the research study is one of the government’s latest initiatives to improve risk behaviour prevention programmes.

The MyPsyD profile helps public officials and organisations get a clearer picture of their well-being, allowing them to create better strategies for self-development, prevention, and intervention. This way, they can maintain their mental health while efficiently delivering services.

“Action must be taken to prevent people from developing mental health issues”

Wan Ahmad mentioned that the Malaysian Psychological Well-Being Index (IKPM) study found that the psychological well-being of civil servants is still at a moderate level.

In light of this, he also stressed the urgent need for action to prevent these individuals from developing mental health issues.

He added that the conference could help create a better mental health approach by focusing on what is needed for intervention, prevention, recovery, and research at this moment.

“Positive and supportive environment”

In line with World Mental Health Day on October 10, the collaboration between PSD and UNIMAS marks an important move towards promoting ongoing mental health development.

Through continuous education, it provides practical emotional support and fosters a healthy work-life balance, encouraging a more fulfilling lifestyle.

The annual conference organised by PSD aims to enhance the field of psychology in empowering public services. By focusing on mental well-being, it seeks to improve work performance in a positive and supportive environment, fostering a culture of innovation in service delivery.

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Also read: Study: M’sia Ranks 7th in Worker Sadness Level in SEA, with On-Site Workers Being the Saddest