This isn’t uncommon. According to Employment Hero’s 2024 Wellness Report, 67% of Malaysian employees experienced burnout at work in the past 3 months, and 88% are stressed at least a few times a month or more.
These struggles aren’t just personal. They show up in missed deadlines, rising absenteeism, and falling morale across entire teams.
When a team feels mentally supported, the difference is remarkable. Innovation flows more freely. Collaboration improves. People bounce back faster from challenges. It’s not just about happiness. It’s about building a resilient, engaged workforce.
Why Prioritise Mental Well-being Within Your Team?
Supporting your team’s mental health isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s essential for long-term performance. High stress, presenteeism, and burnout don’t just harm individuals; they ripple across the entire company culture.
In fact, Malaysia loses an estimated RM14 billion annually in productivity due to unaddressed mental health challenges (Relate Malaysia, 2020). And while stress levels are rising, 47% of employees still feel uncomfortable talking about their mental health concerns with their manager. 1 in 5 employees report dissatisfaction with their overall mental health (Employment Hero, 2024). These numbers paint a clear picture: more needs to be done to bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Early support can prevent more serious outcomes, such as high turnover or disengagement. One company we worked with had been struggling with absenteeism and low morale for months. After introducing flexible wellness sessions, mental health awareness workshops, and manager-led check-ins, their employee satisfaction improved within a quarter. The changes weren’t dramatic, but they were intentional, and they worked.
5 Signs Your Team Needs Mental Wellness Support
1. Rising Absenteeism and Burnout
Notice more sick days or quiet disengagement? When burnout creeps in, employees may begin to “quiet quit”, doing only what’s necessary to get by. Signs like emotional exhaustion, reduced motivation, or cynicism should never be brushed aside.
2. Falling Morale and Team Spirit
When energy drops, even small tasks can feel draining. If your team seems disinterested or frequently voices dissatisfaction, it could signal deeper stress or frustration at play.
3. More Conflict, Less Communication
Increased tension, passive-aggressive comments, or misunderstandings are often symptoms of stress bubbling beneath the surface. A communication breakdown might reflect a team that’s struggling emotionally.
4. Lower Standards and Missed Deadlines
If normally high performers start producing lower-quality work or miss deadlines, don’t assume laziness. Mental fatigue and anxiety can impact concentration, memory, and decision-making.
5. Silence Around Mental Health
A team that never talks about mental health isn’t necessarily thriving. Stigma or fear of judgment may be preventing them from opening up. A lack of open dialogue can be a red flag in itself.
Of course, these behaviours may stem from other causes, but they’re worth paying close attention to. Your team might be struggling quietly, waiting for someone to ask the right questions.