Malaysia is grappling with a growing mental health crisis as the number of depression cases doubles in recent years. Experts warn that societal stigma, lack of specialists, and uneven resource distribution pose significant challenges.
The recent revelation by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad that approximately one million, or 4.6 percent of, Malaysians aged 15 and above suffer from depression is a serious matter that demands the immediate attention of all parties. Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, he said this figure represents a twofold increase compared to the findings in the 2019 NHMS.
However, experts caution that as long as the societal stigma of mental health remains unaddressed – coupled with a shortage of specialists and uneven distribution of resources – the nation will face significant challenges in managing mental health problems among its population, particularly in rural areas. On Nov 27, Dr Dzulkefly, citing statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO), said 10 to 20 percent of the global population experience mental health conditions at some point in their lives. This means that one in every 10 persons, or more, faces mental health challenges, which can range from conditions such as anxiety to depression, ultimately affecting their well-being.Psychiatry professor at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre Prof Dr Ng Chong Guan, who is also the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) deputy president, said the 2022 NHMS indicated that 26.9 percent of adolescents met the criteria for depression, with higher prevalence among females at 36.1 percent compared to 17.7 percent in males. He pointed out that common mental health disorders among adolescents include depression, anxiety disorders and suicidal behaviours. “According to the 2022 NHMS, 13.1 percent of adolescents experienced suicidal thoughts, with rates higher among females at 18.5 percent compared to 7.6 percent in males,” he told Bernama recently. He also said mental health stigma plays an important role in an individual’s willingness to seek help and discuss mental health concerns, often influenced by cultural beliefs and low mental health literac
DEPRESSION MENTAL HEALTH MALAYSIA SOCIEDAD STIGMA RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION
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