‘Give priority to mental healthcare’
Professionals urge Health Minister to focus on ‘silent killer’
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian experts will want newly appointed Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to put mental healthcare as a priority on his to-do list, given that depression afflicts one in three Malaysians.
Professionals have identified three areas of shortage that the Government should address promptly – qualified mental healthcare professionals in the public sector; protection for sufferers; and awareness and understanding of mental illness, a lack of which prevents people from seeking help.
The suicides of two well-known American personalities within days of each other last week have not only shocked the world but renewed conversation and concerns about depression which, according to Malaysian Medical Health Association president Dr Andrew Mohanraj, is the second leading cause of disability in the workplace in the country.
“By 2030, it will surpass cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of disability.
“This is alarming. It not only means the loss of productive years for a person, it also affects inter-personal relationships, and we are losing lives. Too many people are committing suicide without getting the help they need,” he said.
The 2015 National Morbidity Survey revealed that one in every three Malaysians (29.9%) struggled with mental health issues – a threefold increase from 10 years ago when the figure was 10.7%.
The most common form of mental illness is depression, which Dr Mohanraj described as a “silent killer”.
Clinical psychologist Dr Joel Low also highlighted the need for better legal protection for the mentally ill against discrimination at workplaces.
“We have numerous anecdotal reports of patients being sidelined or alienated because of their diagnoses.
“But with the right treatment and support, many patients can and will live healthy and productive lives,” said the director of The Mind Psychological Services and Training.
The National Mental Health Strategic Action Plan, launched in 2016, is a five-year plan to outline key mental health priorities for the Government, NGOs, employers, schools and the public but has so far failed to have a significant impact in addressing critical issues in mental healthcare, said Dr Mohanraj.
“We need a holistic approach. It’s not just about improving curative services. There needs to be advocacy work and preventive measures to deal with workplace depression as well as depression among students,” he added.
Another pertinent issue is the lack of mental health professionals.
“There needs to be a bigger focus on training competent practitioners. Training to become a mental health practitioner is long and this can be a deterrent in producing qualified practitioners,” said Dr Low.