Applying the Islamic Mental Health Model in the Malaysian Public Service: A Case Study of Workplace Practices and Coping Strategies

Abstract

This study applies the Islamic Mental Health Model (IMHM) to the Malaysian public service, examining how Malay Muslim civil servants draw on faith-based resources to sustain mental well-being and ethical conduct at work. Amid rising psychological distress, burnout, and ethical strain, existing interventions often overlook local religious–cultural realities. The IMHM, grounded in Habluminallah (relationship with Allah) and Habluminannas (relationship with others), offers a contextualised alternative for promoting mental health and governance. Using a qualitative case study design, 12 Malay Muslim employees from two public sector organisations were interviewed through semi-structured formats. Thematic analysis revealed how participants internalise and enact IMHM constructs such as tawakkul, sabr, ikhlas, solat, du‘a, syukr, amanah, ‘adl, rahmah, and ukhuwah, while also rejecting unethical practices like bribery and bullying. Findings suggest that spiritual practices serve as tools for emotional regulation and meaning-making, while ethical values shape decision-making and interpersonal conduct. However, tensions between Islamic imperatives and bureaucratic norms emerge, highlighting structural and cultural barriers to both mental health and ethical action. The study argues that IMHM protects psychological well-being and enhances moral responsibility by framing public service as both a civic duty and a religious obligation. Recommendations include integrating IMHM into public sector training, supervisory systems, and wellness initiatives. This aligns with Malaysia’s National Mental Health Strategic Plan, Sustainable Development Goals (3 and 8), and ESG-linked governance reform. The study contributes to Islamic psychology by situating faith-informed mental health within the lived realities of bureaucratic life