Mental Health

NEW STRATTS TTMES THURSDAY, lULy 9, 2009

It's nothing to be ashamed of ACCORDING

to Health Min-

istry statistics, 400,227 mental patients sought treatrnent

in government hospitals last year

an increase of 15.6

per

cent -over the 346,196 people

who sought treatunent in 2007. According to the third Na-

tional Health and Morbidity

survey in 2006,

more

teenagers were sufrering from mental he allh problems. The survey also showed that 19.5 per cent ofthe older age

group (between 7O and,74

years) and 14.4 per cent ofthe youngest (betweep 16 and 19

years) were more prone to having mental health prob-

lems thqn the other

age

groups.

Mental illness was aJso more prevalent among fe-

males (12.1 per cent com-

pared with 10.4 per cent for males). Mental illness also leads to the increasing suicide rate worldwide with one death

every40seconds. In Malaysia, the suicide rate has increased to between nine and, '1,2 persons per 100,000

For exa.rrple, work stess should not be taken lightly. Such stoess affects our physi-

cal and emotional

health, whichwillin turn a.ffect others

at home. The

consequences

ilxemanv. Psychi-atric disorders and

population 6empared wittl eight in the 1980s. (The rate

other forms of mental illness

among Indians was alarming, at between 30 and 35 persors

er side of life which must not be overlooked in our quest to become a firlly industrialised nation. The impact of mental illness on.the family and society is enorinous in terms of loss of productivity, legal problems

per 100,000people.) The increase in stess levels and complex social responsibilities are among factors causing more people to develop 4rental disorders.

Excess stress and pressure

are tragic reminders of anoth-

gree. But most mental illnesses can be treated so that reasona,ble state of health can be

maintained. Like physical illness, mental nothing be

illnsss

is

to

ashamed of. homoting mental health requiresjoint efforts between the government and relevant non-governmental organisatiors. A comprehensive community mental health programme is, therefore, needed to encourage the community to be better informed a.bout mental

and economic costs.

conld seriously affect our mental health a^nd our dailv life. Sensible lifestyle and worl

Direct costs of mental disorders are high but indirect costs

attitudes are therefore necessary to cope with these chal-

higher than the direct costs to

lenges.

mental illnesses which difrer in severity, duration and de-

are estimated to be much society.

There are marry forms of

On the welfare

services

front, the government should include the mentally ill as disa.bled persors. They should be accorded special privileges in employment to help them rehrn to society and not be a burdento society. There should be less stigna attached to those with mental health disorders. Reference to "crazy" and "insane" people shouldbe discouraged. We shonld also put a stop to

all forms of

iliscfimination

against the mentally ill. In accordance withthe United Nations Resolution 46/119 passed in December 1991, "every person has the right to

live and work. to the extent helping the mentally ill. In Malaysia, we need to do

more for those who suffer frommentalillness.

possible, in thg community". TAN SRI tEE LAM THYE Kuala Lumpur