‘Fight depression for better health, wellbeing’
KUALA LUMPUR: As cases of depression in Malaysia have surged significantly by almost 30 per cent within the past five years, it is time for Malaysians to have empathy and help those diagnosed with depression.
In celebrating the World Health Day and this year’s global health awareness theme focusing on depression, the biggest cause of ill health and disability, Health Director- General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah called on people living in depression to seek and to get help.
“I would like to call on all Malaysians to develop a deeper understanding on the aspect of mental health, which is equally important as physical health,” he said in a statement.
He said anyone could be affected by depression, regardless of their gender, age, race or national origin. Many suffered from depression and got cured, but many more continued living with depression and did not seek appropriate help, he said.
The World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 each year to commemorate the establishment of the World Health Organisation. “Depression: Let’s Talk” is the theme for this year’s celebration.
In Malaysia, the findings of the National Mental Health and Morbidity Survey 2011 showed that 1.8 per cent of adults aged 16 and above suffered from depression, while the findings of a similar survey done in 2015, showed that 29.2 per cent of adults aged 16 and above were having mental health problems.
According to WHO, more than 300 million people are now living in depression, an increase of more than 18 per cent between 2005 and 2015.
Dr Noor Hisham said the public should be more open- minded to understand and to give support to individuals suffering from depression, but those who were living in depression should also be more open-minded, not only to seek help and treatment, but also to talk to someone about it.
“The roles played by family members, friends and colleagues are also important to help those living in depression.
"This can be done by talking and listening to them, helping and supporting them to break free from depression. This is also important to tackle the social stigma about mental health problems,” he said.
While stressing that depression can be prevented and cured, Dr Noor Hisham said: “Talk, discuss and express yourself with the person you trust is an important component and the first step towards depression recovery.”