Discard stigma against mental health patients — Dr Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR: The community needs to discard the stigma against those receiving counselling or treatment relating to mental health problem, says Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said biased views against such individuals caused those facing the problem to be reluctant in seeking help from the professionals.

“There must be a change and shift in the public’s perception of those seeking this treatment so that they are not viewed negatively.

“If it can be addressed, we can settle a big part of the problem ( seeking treatment),” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Yang di- Pertuan Agong’s royal address for his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday.

A report previously cited a study conducted by the Health Ministry last year that revealed 18,336 Malaysians as young as aged 16 were diagnosed with various levels of depression in a healthy mind screening involving 273,203 individuals.

Dr Dzulkefly said his ministry would enhance existing strategies and make improvements in terms of promotions and early detection as well as treatment and rehabilitation of mental health problems.

“Among them are to conduct screenings among pregnant and delivering mothers to identify early signs of depression, It can prevent further depression in mothers with potential post partum depression’,” he said. — Bernama