KUCHING: Though it is good the Armed Forces has identified gambling and drug abuse as leading causes of mental health among some personnel, it is necessary to understand that it is systemic in nature.
Bandar Kuching member of Parliament (MP) Dr Kelvin Yii said it is necessary to look into what led them to gambling and drug abuse.
"What's the root cause? Is it due to peer pressure, or due to family pressure? Are they facing financial problems?
"It is important to identify core issues of the armed forces' struggles which are normally economic or welfare in nature, to holistically address their mental health issues," he told the New Straits Times.
Dr Yii said, a short-term continuous mental health evaluation and support must be given to the armed forces.
"I am supportive of a psychological evaluation to be done before they are recruited to ensure they are fit physically and mentally for duty especially since they are handling fire-arms.
"Such evaluation is not to punish or stop a person from becoming part of the armed forces, but more importantly to identify issues early so adequate therapy and support can be given to them," he explained.
Last week, army chief, General Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain said online gambling addiction and drug abuse were the main leading causes of mental health issues among some of their personnel, resulting in erratic behaviour and even fatalities.
"Online gambling is the number one reason why army personnel lose their money and the other reason is drug abuse. These are the two main reasons that cause our personnel to act out of control and do all sorts of erratic things," he said.
Dr Yii said each camp should be equipped with a trained mental health professional and each of them must be educated against the stigma of mental health and that seeking help is never a sign of weakness.
"We do not want a repeat of the deadly shooting incident involving armed forces personnel, hence, more attention must be given as well as continuous mental health support for them as we should protect them as how they protect us," he stressed.
Last year, the country was shaken by two shooting cases in Sarawak involving Armed Forces personnel - the first where four RMAF personnel were killed at the Handau officers' hall at the Kota Samarahan camp, and the second where an army personnel shot himself after shooting at his in-laws at Kampung Kolong 1, Sungai Tengah, Jalan Matang in Kuching.