The government intensifies early intervention for over 40,000 civil servants at risk of negative behaviours, including suicide attempts, says PSD
SEREMBAN: The government is intensifying early intervention efforts to address mental health issues among civil servants after the MyPsych study identified more than 40,000 public officers as being at risk of negative behaviours, including suicide attempts.
Public Service Director-General Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said heads of departments have been instructed to work closely with psychologists to provide early intervention for officers identified as being at risk.
“Intervention measures are being implemented immediately across all departments and ministries. We are concerned that if these issues are not addressed promptly, they could worsen and lead to serious incidents.
“In my view, this matter must be managed effectively so that our officers remain mentally healthy and can continue delivering quality services to the public,” he told reporters after the Negeri Sembilan MADANI Public Service Aspiration Dialogue (Series 2, 2026) here today.
He said the government is also examining organisational factors, including workplace environment and organisational culture, that may contribute to stress among civil servants, rather than focusing solely on individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
To support these efforts, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the “Happy at Work” programme has been introduced to encourage department heads to foster a more positive, supportive, and conducive workplace environment, thereby reducing the risk of mental health issues.
Although the latest survey showed a slight increase in the number of officers identified as being at risk, he expressed confidence that prompt intervention, including individual counselling sessions with psychologists, could help address the problem effectively.
Earlier in his speech, Wan Ahmad Dahlan called on civil servants to enhance productivity, commitment, and a high-performance work culture to ensure that government policies are implemented swiftly and effectively, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.
He said the various welfare initiatives introduced by the government should be reciprocated through improved performance and stronger commitment to the Public Service Reform Agenda.
He added that the public now expects government services to be faster, simpler, more transparent and customer-oriented, making public service reform a necessity rather than a choice.
“To meet these expectations, the government has entrusted the Public Service Department (PSD) with leading efforts to implement the Government Service Efficiency Commitment Act 2025 (Act 867),” he said.
Wan Ahmad Dahlan also commended the Negeri Sembilan state administration for introducing various initiatives to safeguard the welfare of civil servants, including interest-free loan schemes for the purchase of personal computers and vehicles.
