{
  "id": 8881614,
  "title": "55,000 civil servants facing high mental health risk",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/55-000-civil-servants-facing-high-mental-health-risk-8881614",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-21T07:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/21/55-000-civil-servants-facing-high-mental-health-risk"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "More than 55,000 civil servants have been identified as being at high risk for mental health issues according to a digital health profiling system. This concerning statistic was unveiled by JPA deputy director-general (development) Bakhari Ismail. Ismail emphasized the importance of enhancing psychological wellbeing as a strategic investment to ensure the public service remains both efficient and resilient. The MyPsyD system, which conducted the screenings, revealed that 55,169 public servants fall into this high-risk category. This finding highlights the urgent need to bolster psychological wellbeing across the public service sector in order to maintain overall organizational health and effective service delivery. Ismail noted that heads of departments have a responsibility to provide adequate support systems to safeguard employee welfare. He further explained that modern administrative demands require effective stress management alongside dedication and integrity. Ismail stressed that civil servants are a crucial asset to the nation. The JPA is currently developing a public service mental health guideline and plans to introduce a civil service happiness index to evaluate psychological wellbeing more comprehensively. Additionally, the government has introduced various measures to support civil servants, such as enhancements to the Public Service Remuneration System and a hybrid work policy aimed at promoting work-life balance.",
  "summary": "JPA deputy director-general says screenings reveal widespread psychological stress and suicidal tendencies, prompting early interventions and new guidelines.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "55,169 civil servants at high risk of suicidal tendencies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/55-169-civil-servants-at-high-risk-of-suicidal-tendencies",
        "published": "2026-09-21T06:52:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "55,000 civil servants facing high mental health risk",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/55-000-civil-servants-facing-high-mental-health-risk",
        "published": "2026-09-21T07:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}