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Tag: #WorldMentalHealthDay

  • FEELING BURNT OUT AT WORK? HERE ARE 5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE TAKING THE NEXT STEP

    World Mental Health Day serves as an important reminder to reflect on how our working lives affect our mental and emotional wellbeing. From demanding workloads and constant connectivity to limited workplace support, professional responsibilities can take a toll on employees, even when they enjoy what they do.

    According to Jobstreet by SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index 2026, 70% of Malaysian workers say they are happy at work. However, 41% report feeling burnt out or exhausted, while only 36% are satisfied with their stress levels. These findings highlight a growing workplace reality: job satisfaction does not necessarily mean employees are free from stress or exhaustion.

    Before making a major career decision, it is important to understand the factors contributing to burnout and consider whether meaningful changes can improve the situation. Here are five questions to ask yourself before deciding what comes next.

    1. Am I Unhappy with My Job, or Am I Struggling to Switch Off?

    Enjoying your job does not mean you will never feel exhausted. The Workplace Happiness Index 2026 found that 41% of Malaysian workers experience burnout or exhaustion, with employees who are unhappy at work twice as likely to report these feelings.

    Recognising the difference between job dissatisfaction and difficulty switching off can help identify the underlying issue. Consider whether you feel constantly tired, dread the beginning of each working week or struggle to relax after office hours. Reflect on whether these feelings improve after taking a proper break or persist even when you have time to rest.

    Understanding these patterns can help determine whether the problem stems from the role itself, excessive responsibilities or an inability to maintain healthy boundaries between work and personal life. Without addressing the root cause, changing jobs may not necessarily prevent similar challenges from recurring.

    2. What Is Causing Most of My Stress?

    Workplace stress can arise from several factors, including unrealistic deadlines, unclear expectations, excessive workloads and a lack of flexibility. Jobstreet by SEEK’s findings show that only 42% of Malaysian workers are satisfied with their workload, while 41% identify better work-life balance as one of the factors that would improve their workplace happiness.

    Identifying the main source of stress is an important step towards finding a solution. Employees should consider whether their responsibilities are manageable, whether priorities are clearly communicated and whether they are expected to remain available beyond normal working hours.

    Once these challenges are identified, discussing them with a manager may help establish more realistic deadlines, clearer priorities or a more flexible working arrangement. While such conversations may not resolve every issue, they can provide a clearer picture of whether the current working environment is capable of supporting employees’ wellbeing.

    3. Beyond My Salary, Does My Work Give Me a Reason to Stay Engaged?

    Financial security remains an important consideration when evaluating job satisfaction. The Workplace Happiness Index 2026 found that 57% of Malaysian workers ranked a higher salary among the top five factors that could make them happier at work.

    However, compensation is not the only factor influencing how employees feel about their careers. The research identified purpose as having the strongest relationship with workplace happiness, with day-to-day responsibilities also playing a significant role.

    Employees can reflect on whether their work feels meaningful, allows them to use their strengths and provides opportunities to develop professionally. Having a clear understanding of how their contributions make a difference can help strengthen motivation and engagement.

    Although a competitive salary is essential, a fulfilling working experience also depends on whether employees feel connected to their responsibilities and can see a future for themselves within their chosen career.

    4. Can I Be Myself and Still Grow in My Workplace?

    A supportive working environment should allow employees to contribute ideas, seek guidance and develop their skills without feeling that they must compromise their identity to fit in. Workplace culture, opportunities for growth and a healthy work-life balance can all influence how employees experience their jobs.

    For Gen Z workers, the Workplace Happiness Index 2026 identified purpose at work (65%), day-to-day responsibilities (61%), company culture (61%) and work-life balance (58%) as key drivers of workplace happiness. However, only 69% of Gen Z respondents said they could be themselves at work, compared with 75% of Millennials and Gen X.

    The study also found that Gen Z workers reported the highest burnout rate at 45%, followed by Millennials at 41% and Gen X at 36%.

    These findings highlight the importance of creating workplace environments that recognise employees’ differing needs and experiences. Workers, particularly those in the early stages of their careers, should consider whether they feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and seeking support when challenges arise.

    Feeling accepted, having meaningful responsibilities and receiving opportunities to learn can contribute to a stronger sense of belonging and a more sustainable working experience.

    5. What Can I Change Before Deciding to Leave?

    Resigning may seem like the most straightforward response to workplace burnout, but exploring possible changes before making a final decision can provide valuable perspective. According to the Workplace Happiness Index 2026, 87% of Malaysian workers believe workplace happiness is a shared responsibility between employees and employers.

    Employees can start by identifying practical adjustments that could improve their daily working experience. These may include discussing workload distribution, requesting greater flexibility, exploring career development opportunities or seeking additional support during particularly demanding periods.

    Employers also have an important role in creating environments where employees feel comfortable raising concerns and where reasonable changes can be considered. Open communication, supportive management and clear expectations can help address workplace challenges before they become more difficult to manage.

    However, not every situation can be resolved through conversation. If concerns remain unaddressed and the working environment continues to affect wellbeing, exploring other career opportunities may be a reasonable next step.

    The research found that happy workers are three times more likely to feel motivated to go above and beyond their responsibilities and 37% less likely to look for another job. These findings underline the importance of creating workplace conditions that encourage employees to remain engaged and supported.

    Making Wellbeing Part of Your Career Decisions

    This World Mental Health Day, employees are encouraged to pay closer attention to how their work affects their wellbeing. Feeling burnt out does not automatically mean that a career change is necessary, but persistent exhaustion should not be ignored.

    Taking time to identify the causes of stress, reassess personal priorities and explore possible solutions can help individuals make more informed decisions about their professional future. At the same time, employers must recognise that workplace happiness requires more than competitive salaries, extending to manageable workloads, supportive leadership and opportunities for meaningful growth.

    Ultimately, enjoying a job and feeling exhausted can happen at the same time. Understanding that distinction is an important first step towards building a healthier relationship with work and deciding what needs to change.

  • WHY MENTAL WELLBEING IS VITAL AS MALAYSIA’S POPULATION AGES

    As Malaysia’s population continues to age, mental wellbeing must become an essential part of conversations about healthy ageing. World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, carries the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, highlighting the importance of listening to people with lived experience of mental health conditions to develop more inclusive and responsive support systems. This message is particularly relevant to older adults, whose emotional and psychological needs can sometimes be overlooked amid discussions about physical health and cognitive decline.

    Improvements in healthcare and living conditions have contributed to longer life expectancy in Malaysia, with individuals aged 60 and above expected to account for approximately 12.3% of the population in 2026. However, living longer does not necessarily mean ageing well. Healthy ageing also involves feeling connected to others, being valued by society and maintaining a sense of purpose throughout different stages of life.

    Healthy Ageing Goes Beyond Physical and Cognitive Health

    Conversations about ageing often centre on chronic illnesses, mobility, physical limitations and cognitive decline. While these remain important considerations, mental wellbeing deserves equal attention. Older adults may experience significant changes as they move through later life, including retirement, the departure of children from the family home, changing family relationships and the loss of a spouse or close friends. Some may also face reduced independence or adjustments to familiar responsibilities and routines.

    These transitions can influence emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, identity and a person’s sense of purpose. Although such changes are common, older adults should not be expected to navigate them without support. Recognising their emotional needs is an important step towards ensuring that ageing remains a meaningful and fulfilling experience.

    Recognising Mental Health Concerns Beyond Ageing

    Emotional and behavioural changes among older adults are sometimes dismissed as an inevitable consequence of growing older. Persistent sadness, social withdrawal, reduced interest in activities, changes in sleep or appetite, and forgetfulness may be attributed to age, potentially allowing signs of emotional distress to go unnoticed.

    Growing older does not automatically lead to depression, anxiety or emotional difficulties. These are mental health concerns that deserve appropriate attention and support. Malaysian research has documented depression, anxiety and stress among older adults, with some concerns remaining undetected. Families, caregivers and healthcare professionals should therefore pay attention to noticeable changes in an older person’s mood or behaviour rather than assuming they are simply part of ageing.

    Understanding Loneliness and the Importance of Connection

    Loneliness is not determined solely by whether someone lives alone. An older adult may live independently while maintaining meaningful relationships, while another person surrounded by family and friends may still experience feelings of isolation. The quality of social connections often matters more than the number of people nearby.

    A Malaysian study involving 2,188 older adults found that stronger social networks were associated with greater psychological flourishing and, among some groups, lower levels of loneliness. These findings reinforce the importance of meaningful relationships in supporting mental wellbeing as people age.

    Regular interaction, opportunities to participate in community activities and the ability to maintain close relationships can help older adults feel included and connected. Creating these opportunities requires a collective effort from families, communities and society to ensure that older people remain active participants in everyday life.

    Supporting Older Adults Through Loss and Life Transitions

    Ageing can also involve experiences of loss that extend beyond bereavement. Losing a spouse, close friends or familiar responsibilities may affect an older person’s identity and sense of belonging. Changes in long-established roles as a parent, partner or caregiver, together with reduced independence, can also create emotional challenges.

    While sadness is a natural response to loss, older adults need safe and supportive spaces to express their feelings and share their experiences. Families and communities should avoid placing pressure on them to move on quickly or dismissing their emotions as an unavoidable part of growing older. Listening with empathy and acknowledging their experiences can help create an environment where emotional needs are recognised and supported.

    Building Communities That Support Mental Wellbeing

    Supporting psychological wellbeing should be an integral part of Malaysia’s approach to healthy ageing. Encouraging older adults to remain socially connected, physically active and engaged in meaningful activities does not always require elaborate programmes or significant resources.

    Simple initiatives such as small-group outings, community gatherings, dancing, singing and creative activities can encourage participation and interaction. These experiences offer more than opportunities to stay occupied; they also provide outlets for self-expression, sharing memories, stimulating the mind and building relationships.

    Research into creative and social activities further highlights their potential value in supporting cognitive and emotional wellbeing. Instead of focusing exclusively on the difficulties associated with ageing, society should also recognise the activities, relationships and environments that help older adults maintain resilience, confidence and a sense of belonging.

    Listening to Older Adults and Their Lived Experiences

    The theme of World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder that meaningful support begins with listening. For older adults, this means understanding their individual needs, personal experiences and what gives their lives meaning. Families, communities and healthcare professionals should involve them in decisions that affect their daily lives rather than making assumptions about what is best for them.

    A holistic approach to healthy ageing must consider physical and cognitive health alongside emotional wellbeing, social relationships and living environments. By listening to older adults and respecting their voices, society can develop more responsive forms of support that recognise their dignity, independence and individual aspirations.

    Ultimately, healthy ageing is not simply about adding more years to life, but ensuring those years are lived with connection, dignity, meaning and purpose. As Malaysia moves towards an ageing society, supporting older adults must be a shared responsibility involving families, communities, healthcare professionals and policymakers. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, collective care and understanding are essential to helping people age healthily and meaningfully.

    Professor Dr Rozainee Khairudin, Head of the Department of Psychology at Taylor’s University’s School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, and Director of the Mental Health and Well-being Impact Lab.

    The article’s insights are shared by Professor Dr Rozainee Khairudin, Head of the Department of Psychology at Taylor’s University’s School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, and Director of the Mental Health and Well-being Impact Lab. Her work focuses on human cognition and behaviour, mental health, cognitive wellbeing, resilience and quality of life.