Initiatives to Encourage Employers to Provide Mental Health Support in Workplace

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what initiatives are being implemented to encourage employers to provide mental health support in the workplace; and (b) whether there are plans to introduce mandatory mental health awareness and training programmes for employers and managers.

There is a variety of initiatives being implemented to encourage employers to provide mental well-being support in the workplace.

The Ministry of Manpower has worked with Tripartite Partners and stakeholders to develop a range of resources on supporting employees’ mental well-being. For example, practical guidance to employers on how to implement mental well-being initiatives is provided through the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces and the Playbook on Workplace Mental Well-being. These resources include plug-and-play templates and tips to help organisations kickstart mental well-being initiatives at workplaces.

Secondly, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and Health Promotion Board (HPB) offer programmes on implementing mental well-being initiatives in workplaces. Under the WSH Council’s Total WSH Programme, organisations are provided with free access to: (a) qualified consultants who advise them on how to manage safety and health in an integrated way; and (b) intervention programmes, such as mental well-being workshops, to enhance the organisations’ capabilities. HPB offers a Workplace Outreach Wellness package that supports organisations in rolling out workplace health programmes, including on mental health.

Thirdly, the annual National WSH CARE (Culture of Acceptance, Respect and Empathy) Award recognises organisations that have adopted exemplary mental well-being practices and highlights them as employers of choice.

The Ministry does not mandate mental health awareness and training programmes for employers and managers at the moment.