Promote mental health at schools and workplaces
studies, we need to be like the dolphins and asked us to inculcate a healthy competition or “semangat berlumba-lumba”.
My friends and I were indeed very competitive when it came to studies that we would cry if we got anything less than an “A”! Nothing wrong with that if we can use that experience to improve ourselves.
However, the problem starts when we dwell on the disappointments and cannot pick ourselves up.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015, about 4.2 million Malaysians aged 16 years and above, or 29.2% of the population, suffered from various mental problems.
The number is alarming as it shows that one out three Malaysians suffers from mental problems. According to the survey, there is an increase of 11.2% since 2006. Many are silently suffering from mental problems. Nobody knows until something serious like a suicide happens.
I believe that in everything that we do, there needs to be a balance. It’s excellent to have a competitive nature but we need to have a healthy competitive nature.
First step is to identify and admit there’s a problem. Next step is to seek help.
The stigma over mental health cannot be ignored and must be addressed. Awareness must be created in schools, through education and campaigns.
The government must introduce guidelines to promote mental health at schools or workplaces and encourage campaigns to create awareness of the issue to provide both prevention and early intervention for students and employees affected by stress, emotional and mental health issues.
Nicole Tan Lee Koon Seremban