Time to look seriously into deteriorating mental health issues, says Fatimah
KUCHING: The National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted back in 2015 shows an 11.2 per cent increase in the number of Malaysians aged 16 and above with mental health problems compared to 2006.
According to Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, an estimated 4.2 million or 29.2 percent are affected.
“It is worrying as a survey conducted back in 2006 only showed 12 per cent suffering from the condition,” revealed Fatimah.
She said this translates to one in three Malaysians having mental problems, which leads to a decrease in productivity and national economic development.
Fatimah said this at a Mental Health Awareness seminar held at Penview Hotel here yesterday.
She said World Health Organisation ( WHO) listed depression as the fourth global disability, and predicted that depression which is the main cause for mental disease will become the second on the list after heart disease by 2020.
“It is timely for us to look seriously into this issue as a cause for concern, and for people to discuss it openly – not look at the issue as an isolated case. In some cases it can involve the loss of lives,” she warned.
Fatimah said there are many reasons for the situation such as drug abuse, financial crisis, workload stress, marital problems and surrounding factors.
She urged families and the community to bring their family members and friends for medical checkup for suspected depression or mental problems.
“Employers should look at mental issues at the workplace as a threat to productivity, not overlooking the psychosocial side of their employees as it can backfire and cause a loss in terms of productivity,” she added.
Several speakers were at the mental health seminar and forum yesterday.
It was organised by the Social Development Council of Sarawak, Hospital Sentosa Kuching and Ministry of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development.