MENTAL health is defined by the World Health Organisation as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and able to make a contribution to his community. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing and has a profound effect on how we affect, and are affected by, the communities we live in.
Mental health strengthens and supports our ability to cultivate healthy human relationships, make wise life decisions, maintain physical health and to grow towards achieving our innate potential. Research studies have indicated that appropriate mental healthcare significantly decreases visits to medical doctors with an accompanying reduction in national medical costs. Research has also shown a strong correlation between good mental health and increased productivity, better performance and fewer accidents at the workplace, which are vital for a growing nation like Malaysia.
WHO and the World Federation for Mental Health has designated Oct 10 as a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. The goal is to bring discussion on critical mental health issues into the public discourse, with the hope of removing the stigma, isolation and discrimination that continue to plague people with mental health conditions as well as their families and caregivers.
This year’s theme is “Psychological & Mental Health First Aid for All” and the focus is on basic pragmatic psychological support by people who find themselves in a supporting role, whether they are medical personnel, teachers, community workers or caregivers.
The 2015 National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed that 4.2 million Malaysians aged 16 and above (29.2 per cent) were struggling with mental health issues, up from 11.2 per cent in 2006. A similar worrying trend has been noted among students, with the figures rising from one in 10 individuals in 2011 to one in five in 2016. Experts cite anxiety and depression as the main causes of mental health problems among students.
Sources of anxiety include trauma, emotional disorders such as bulimia, developmental disorders such as hyperactivity, behavioural disorders and severe stress due to family problems and examination pressure.
Prolonged mental health issues that are not addressed properly in a timely manner could lead to deterioration in the student’s social and family life, the development of schizophrenia as well as suicidal ideation. The last condition is particularly critical to address, as those aged between 16 and 24 form one of the high-risk categories for suicide, both in Malaysia as well as globally.
To tackle this pressing problem, experts have prescribed :
PROMOTION of lifestyle practices that help achieve and maintain good mental health;
CONSULTATION with a mental health professional as early as possible with regards to a possible mental health issue, as early treatment significantly increases the chances of successful recovery;
DISCIPLINED adherence to any prescribed medication regimen, coupled with supportive consultation with a psychotherapist or counsellor where necessary, and
CONSTANT support and encouragement from family members and caregivers to the patient to gradually rebuild self-confidence and self-reliance over time.
All require awareness and appreciation of the complexities of living with mental health problems, a topic which is unfortunately still misunderstood and stigmatised in Malaysia.
A recent effort in the area of public outreach is Kospen, a national health community programme that promotes a healthy lifestyle through exercise, good dietary practices and encourages people to go for health screenings.
Other programmes include Minda Sihat Sekolah, Screening and Healthy Mind Intervention in Primary Health Care, Community Mental Health Rehabilitation Programme, Job Placement Programme, Mental Health and Psychosocial Response in Disasters and workplace Stress Management Programmes. School mental health in particular has been prioritised, with pilot projects in several schools where teachers have been given training in case detection and management.
There are also ongoing efforts in the Health Ministry to boost the number of treatment centres and community Mental Health Centres, as well as increasing the number of psychiatrists, psychologists and nurses to staff these centres.
These offer readily accessible treatment for mental health patients as well as educating them and their caregivers. They also facilitate the eventual reintegration of these patients back into their respective communities.
Such efforts are supported by NGOs such as Malaysian Mental Health Association that run daycare centres which focus on rehabilitation for people with chronic mental illness.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE, Chairman, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health