SINGAPORE, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Singapore on Monday launched the Handbook on Supporting Employees' Mental Health to guide employers in helping staff, particularly those at risk of or recovering from mental health conditions.
The handbook provides step-by-step guidance on developing supportive policies, initiating meaningful conversations, and making reasonable accommodations for employees returning to work, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance and Manpower Shawn Huang said at the launch event.
Drawing on insights from mental health professionals, community groups and employers, the handbook also features case studies of companies that have made progress in supporting staff well-being, Huang said.
Singapore has evolved from a time when mental health care was largely custodial to one that empowers individuals to live independently and contribute meaningfully, he said, adding that workplace support is a key part of that empowerment.
Many employers have asked how they can better support staff returning to work after a mental health episode, highlighting a gap in knowledge, he noted.
Studies have shown that symptoms of anxiety and depression can impose economic costs through absenteeism, lower productivity and higher healthcare use. Equally significant are the emotional and social costs borne by affected individuals and their families, Huang said. ■