St. George’s School conducted a Mental Health at the Workplace Awareness session for its staff on Wednesday, 26th June, led by Dayang Syahmun Matassan from the Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Health. The session formed part of the school’s ongoing commitment to promoting staff well-being and fostering a supportive professional environment.
During the presentation, Dayang Syahmun highlighted the World Health Organisation’s definition of mental health as a state of well-being that enables individuals to cope with daily stresses, work productively, and contribute to their communities.
The session also addressed the distinction between mental health and mental illness, underscoring that while everyone has mental health, not all individuals will develop a mental disorder. Participants were briefed on early signs of declining mental well-being, including emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and physical indicators.
A key component of the talk examined the influence of the workplace on mental well-being. While work can offer structure, purpose, and financial security, Dayang Syahmun noted that factors such as excessive workloads, unclear roles, bullying, and inflexible hours may contribute to stress and burnout among Brunei's working population, a concern underscored by national data.
Practical strategies for strengthening mental health at work were shared, focusing on individual, team, and organisational approaches. These included establishing healthy boundaries, promoting peer support, encouraging regular check-ins, cultivating transparency, and implementing workplace initiatives that prioritise employee well-being.
The session concluded with a reminder that seeking professional support is a sign of strength and an essential step towards maintaining good mental health.
St. George’s School expresses its appreciation to the Health Promotion Centre for delivering this informative and timely session. The school remains committed to creating a safe, healthy, and positive working environment for all members of its staff community.