Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai was reported to have said that about 6% of Malaysians the majority of whom are aged between 16 and 24 years have suicidal tendencies at some point in their lives according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006.
The Health Minister’s statement has given rise to concern as to whether we are doing enough to help the vulnerable groups to handle and manage stress, particularly the young school children.
We have come to know of students who committed suicide because of disappointment in their UPSR examinations.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) wishes to propose to the Government to look into mental health promotion for school students as a remedy to overcoming severe mental stress among many school-going children arising from our examination-oriented education system.
Mental health promotion can be carried out in schools to prepare the students to face stress in schools, especially when sitting for examinations and how to deal with them appropriately.
Among the mental health promotion activities that can be implemented in schools include promoting mental health literacy in the school community through talks, exhibitions and quizzes that can be held as extra-curricular activities involving PTAs and school clubs.
Schools need to have more trained counselors with skills and techniques to guide and help students about how to handle stress.
The issue of mental health among students must be addressed with a sense of urgency. If they do not get our help, our nation is going to be burdened with a generation suffering from serious mental health problems in an ever-increasing competitive global environment.
We cannot deny that our examination-oriented education system has led to pressure from parents to perform in schools.
Even if parents say they don’t pressure their kids, children can pick up on their parents’ high expectations, and in turn, set high expectations for themselves. When they fail they take it badly.
We need to instill basic self-confidence in the child so that any failures or disappointments will be seen as opportunities to try again rather than as a lack of ability and taking the road to disaster.
Let not Malaysia end up in a state which occurred in our neighbouring country not so long ago when in a survey carried out among school children between the ages of 10-12, responded that they were more afraid of failing tests and examinations than of their parents or guardians dying.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Cost-cutting by Government
The various cost-cutting measures announced by the Government to combat rising costs following the fuel price hike is a step in the right direction.
It should be the fore-runner to more cost-cutting measures that could be introduced as time goes on.
The 10% cut of the Minister’s entertainment allowance is in my view, inadequate and should be higher.
As the Nation is going through difficult and trying times, austerity and thrift is very essential.
Leadership by example is what the rakyat expects and it is hoped that all State governments should do like-wise.
All Government departments should immediately put into practice all cost-cutting measures such as consumption of electricity and the usage of fuel by official government vehicles.
The practice of pinning corsages and giving souvenirs to guests at official functions should be discouraged though it may be trivial. Generous buffet spreads for functions should not be encouraged to prevent wastage.
From now on the message should be to economize and to spend very prudently.
However it needs also to be pointed out that although cost-saving is necessary it must not be at the expense of safety and health.
The setting up of the Anti-Inflation Council is appropriate to deal with the present situation and to introduce additional measures to fight inflation.
It should be the fore-runner to more cost-cutting measures that could be introduced as time goes on.
The 10% cut of the Minister’s entertainment allowance is in my view, inadequate and should be higher.
As the Nation is going through difficult and trying times, austerity and thrift is very essential.
Leadership by example is what the rakyat expects and it is hoped that all State governments should do like-wise.
All Government departments should immediately put into practice all cost-cutting measures such as consumption of electricity and the usage of fuel by official government vehicles.
The practice of pinning corsages and giving souvenirs to guests at official functions should be discouraged though it may be trivial. Generous buffet spreads for functions should not be encouraged to prevent wastage.
From now on the message should be to economize and to spend very prudently.
However it needs also to be pointed out that although cost-saving is necessary it must not be at the expense of safety and health.
The setting up of the Anti-Inflation Council is appropriate to deal with the present situation and to introduce additional measures to fight inflation.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Majikan tidak wajar abai pekerja menderita penyakit mental
Masalah kesihatan mental terutamanya yang bersangkutan dengan tekanan mental hendaklah ditangani dengan segara supaya masalah seperti tekanan, kemarahan dan keganasan, kemurungan dan kejadian bunuh diri dapat dielakkan.
Institut Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Negara (NIOSH) berpendapat langkah segera perlu diambil untuk menangani masalah kesihatan mental di tempat kerja yang melibatkan majikan, pekerja dan pihak berkuasa yang terlibat.
Pengabaian faktor kesihatan mental dan psikososial di tempat kerja bukan sahaja merugikan pekerja tetapi juga memberi kesan secara langsung terhadap kecekapan, keberkesanan dan hasil sesuatu perusahaan.
Di mana terdapat kes pekerja yang menderita dari penyakit mental, majikan perlu memberi pertolongan dan bantuan dalam bentuk kaunseling dan rawatan.
Prestasi pekerja, kekerapan jatuh sakit, ketidakhadiran, kemalangan dan pusing-ganti pekerja akan terjejas oleh keadaan kesihatan mental pekerja.
Tiada negara atau individu yang terkecuali daripada gangguan mental dan kesannya ke atas keadaan psikologikal, sosial dan ekonomi adalah tinggi. Kesihatan mental tidak lagi boleh diabaikan sebaliknya ia perlu diberikan perhatian sama seperti masalah kesihatan yang lain.
Kesihatan mental bukan sekadar berkenaan penyakit mental. Ia adalah perasaan kesejahteraan, keupayaan menghadapi cabaran dan untuk memastikan sikap positif terhadap diri sendiri.
Isu kesihatan mental di tempat kerja, harus diberikan perhatian kerana produktiviti pekerja di dalam sesuatu organisasi bergantung pada tahap kesihatan mental mereka.
Kemalangan Industri yang telah berlaku di negara selama ini amat membimbangkan kerana setiap kemalangan yang dilaporkan melibatkan tenaga pekerja yang mahir dan terlatih.
Kemalangan akan meninggalkan kesan sama ada dari segi fizikal, sosial atau mental ke atas individu yang mengalaminya. Bukan itu saja, kemalangan juga akan menjejaskan kecekapan atau efisiansi sesebuah syarikat dan lebih buruk lagi, pekerja tidak lagi dapat memberikan sumbangan yang sepenuhnya akibat ditimpa kemalangan di tempat kerja.
Oleh itu, adalah tidak lagi memadai dengan hanya mengadakan arahan kerja kepada pekerja tanpa melengkapkan mereka dengan pendidikan dan latihan yang sesuai untuk membantu mereka memahami kepentingan dalam mengurangkan risiko keselamatan dan kesihatan mereka.
Institut Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Negara (NIOSH) berpendapat langkah segera perlu diambil untuk menangani masalah kesihatan mental di tempat kerja yang melibatkan majikan, pekerja dan pihak berkuasa yang terlibat.
Pengabaian faktor kesihatan mental dan psikososial di tempat kerja bukan sahaja merugikan pekerja tetapi juga memberi kesan secara langsung terhadap kecekapan, keberkesanan dan hasil sesuatu perusahaan.
Di mana terdapat kes pekerja yang menderita dari penyakit mental, majikan perlu memberi pertolongan dan bantuan dalam bentuk kaunseling dan rawatan.
Prestasi pekerja, kekerapan jatuh sakit, ketidakhadiran, kemalangan dan pusing-ganti pekerja akan terjejas oleh keadaan kesihatan mental pekerja.
Tiada negara atau individu yang terkecuali daripada gangguan mental dan kesannya ke atas keadaan psikologikal, sosial dan ekonomi adalah tinggi. Kesihatan mental tidak lagi boleh diabaikan sebaliknya ia perlu diberikan perhatian sama seperti masalah kesihatan yang lain.
Kesihatan mental bukan sekadar berkenaan penyakit mental. Ia adalah perasaan kesejahteraan, keupayaan menghadapi cabaran dan untuk memastikan sikap positif terhadap diri sendiri.
Isu kesihatan mental di tempat kerja, harus diberikan perhatian kerana produktiviti pekerja di dalam sesuatu organisasi bergantung pada tahap kesihatan mental mereka.
Kemalangan Industri yang telah berlaku di negara selama ini amat membimbangkan kerana setiap kemalangan yang dilaporkan melibatkan tenaga pekerja yang mahir dan terlatih.
Kemalangan akan meninggalkan kesan sama ada dari segi fizikal, sosial atau mental ke atas individu yang mengalaminya. Bukan itu saja, kemalangan juga akan menjejaskan kecekapan atau efisiansi sesebuah syarikat dan lebih buruk lagi, pekerja tidak lagi dapat memberikan sumbangan yang sepenuhnya akibat ditimpa kemalangan di tempat kerja.
Oleh itu, adalah tidak lagi memadai dengan hanya mengadakan arahan kerja kepada pekerja tanpa melengkapkan mereka dengan pendidikan dan latihan yang sesuai untuk membantu mereka memahami kepentingan dalam mengurangkan risiko keselamatan dan kesihatan mereka.
Mental Health Problems
Mental health issues at the workplace should be given due attention as the productivity of the staff of any organization depends on their mental health.
Employers must be aware that the neglect of mental health and psychosocial factors at the workplace is not only detrimental to the individual worker but also directly affects productivity, efficiency and output of any organisation.
Employee performance, frequent illness, absenteeism, accidents and staff turnover are all affected by employees’ mental health status.
Issues related to mental health at the workplace can also have a direct impact on all stakeholders of the workplace including the employers, customers and the community in which the organisation is located.
No workplace is immune to mental disorders and their impact in psychological, social and economic terms is high. Mental health should no longer be ignored, on the contrary it should be given adequate attention in relation to other business in any organization.
Mental health problems, especially stress-related ones among Malaysians are a matter of serious concern and need to be addressed urgently at the workplace so that problems like depression, mental illness and psychiatric disorders can be avoided.
NIOSH is of the view that urgent steps need to be taken to address mental and health issues at workplaces involving employers, employees and the relevant authorities.
In this connection the government should introduce guidelines for promoting mental health at workplaces in order to contribute towards a healthier and productive workforce both mentally and physically.
Employers should use safety and health committees at the workplace to examine and identify the problems relating to the promotion of mental health care at workplaces and formulate a fundamental programme to address these problems.
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which can provide both prevention and early intervention for employees affected by stress, emotional and mental health issues which jeopardize job performance should be introduced at workplaces.
Funds expended on EAPs have documented investment returns in such areas as productivity and work performance. Companies are finding that investing in employee’ emotional well-being can mean a healthier bottom line.
Mental Health education and promotion, which aims to address the rise of psychosocial problems in our society, is most essential in view of our aspiration to achieve developed nation status which obviously will exert tremendous pressure to deal with our daily responsibilities which could lead to stressful predicaments.
Psychiatric disorders and other forms of mental illness are tragic reminders of another side of life which not be overlooked in our quest to become a fully industrialized nation.
Although a 1996 national health study found mental illness to be prevalent in about 10.7 % of the population, the facts seem to indicate a surge in mental illness which are the manifestations of the ill effects of urbanization, stress and poor mental health. We cannot be unconcerned over the increasing spate of incidents involving the mentally ill or those suffering from mental disorders.
The impact of mental illness on the family and the society is enormous in terms of loss of productivity, legal problems and economic costs. Direct costs of mental disorders are high but indirect costs are estimated to be much higher than the direct costs to society. Mental disorders also impact on the quality of life in communities which has a direct bearing on society.
In previous years mental health has been a topic of low priority for the government and the community as compared to other health problems. But increasingly as reflected worldwide, mental health has gained more prominence.
In Malaysia we need to do more for those who suffer from mental illness. On the welfare services front, the government should include the mentally ill as disabled persons and brought under the category of ‘orang kurang upaya’ or disabled persons and they should be accorded opportunities in employment to help them return to the mainstream and not be a burden to society.
Employers must be aware that the neglect of mental health and psychosocial factors at the workplace is not only detrimental to the individual worker but also directly affects productivity, efficiency and output of any organisation.
Employee performance, frequent illness, absenteeism, accidents and staff turnover are all affected by employees’ mental health status.
Issues related to mental health at the workplace can also have a direct impact on all stakeholders of the workplace including the employers, customers and the community in which the organisation is located.
No workplace is immune to mental disorders and their impact in psychological, social and economic terms is high. Mental health should no longer be ignored, on the contrary it should be given adequate attention in relation to other business in any organization.
Mental health problems, especially stress-related ones among Malaysians are a matter of serious concern and need to be addressed urgently at the workplace so that problems like depression, mental illness and psychiatric disorders can be avoided.
NIOSH is of the view that urgent steps need to be taken to address mental and health issues at workplaces involving employers, employees and the relevant authorities.
In this connection the government should introduce guidelines for promoting mental health at workplaces in order to contribute towards a healthier and productive workforce both mentally and physically.
Employers should use safety and health committees at the workplace to examine and identify the problems relating to the promotion of mental health care at workplaces and formulate a fundamental programme to address these problems.
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which can provide both prevention and early intervention for employees affected by stress, emotional and mental health issues which jeopardize job performance should be introduced at workplaces.
Funds expended on EAPs have documented investment returns in such areas as productivity and work performance. Companies are finding that investing in employee’ emotional well-being can mean a healthier bottom line.
Mental Health education and promotion, which aims to address the rise of psychosocial problems in our society, is most essential in view of our aspiration to achieve developed nation status which obviously will exert tremendous pressure to deal with our daily responsibilities which could lead to stressful predicaments.
Psychiatric disorders and other forms of mental illness are tragic reminders of another side of life which not be overlooked in our quest to become a fully industrialized nation.
Although a 1996 national health study found mental illness to be prevalent in about 10.7 % of the population, the facts seem to indicate a surge in mental illness which are the manifestations of the ill effects of urbanization, stress and poor mental health. We cannot be unconcerned over the increasing spate of incidents involving the mentally ill or those suffering from mental disorders.
The impact of mental illness on the family and the society is enormous in terms of loss of productivity, legal problems and economic costs. Direct costs of mental disorders are high but indirect costs are estimated to be much higher than the direct costs to society. Mental disorders also impact on the quality of life in communities which has a direct bearing on society.
In previous years mental health has been a topic of low priority for the government and the community as compared to other health problems. But increasingly as reflected worldwide, mental health has gained more prominence.
In Malaysia we need to do more for those who suffer from mental illness. On the welfare services front, the government should include the mentally ill as disabled persons and brought under the category of ‘orang kurang upaya’ or disabled persons and they should be accorded opportunities in employment to help them return to the mainstream and not be a burden to society.
Bandar Selamat
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) today calls on all Malaysians to work towards zero tolerance for crime by developing an anti-crime culture and making safety a way of life.
Unless one is determined to have an anti-crime culture and make safety a way of life, the fight against crime will not be effective and enduring.
In the wake of frequent press reports about crime occurrences, it is time not only for the relevant authorities but also the entire community to be fully sensitized about the need for quick and effective action to deal not only with the criminals but also the issues and causes that can lead to crime.
For example, complaints that are brought to the attention of the relevant authorities about what can be done to remove the causes for crime occurrence should be attended to speedily. Every complaint that is related to crime prevention must be attended to. For example if there is a complaint related to installing street lights to overcome problems of dark lanes or alleys, or requiring action to improve the safety of passages or walkways to schools and housing estates it must be acted upon urgently.
As crimes continue to occur and given the fact that the law enforcement alone is inadequate to tackle crime, the government has to promulgate effective social policies and programmes to prevent and control criminal activities.
What is essential is to find out the root causes of crime and criminal activities and take appropriate steps to address them?
However, the government also needs other stakeholders such as the traders, residents, professionals and the public to assist them to combat crime.
Hence, policymakers, academicians and the various strata of society need to stand up to this challenge and make their cities, towns and villages safe and liveable for everyone.
In this connection, continuous efforts must be made to reduce crime, lessen the fear of crime and create safer cities and towns where economic enterprises and community like can flourish.
This agenda to control and prevent crime demands a synergistic, concerted and tireless endeavour from everyone. Everyone has a role to play and a function to perform in the fight against crime.
The public must be made aware of the fact that crime prevention is a collective responsibility. Since its inception, MCPF is actively involved in awareness campaigns with various community based organizations to help create greater awareness about the need not to take their safety for granted but on the contrary to participate actively in crime prevention.
Through our safe city initiative projects, MCPF hopes to enlist the participation of all levels of our community in educating the public about what they should do in crime prevention.
Unless one is determined to have an anti-crime culture and make safety a way of life, the fight against crime will not be effective and enduring.
In the wake of frequent press reports about crime occurrences, it is time not only for the relevant authorities but also the entire community to be fully sensitized about the need for quick and effective action to deal not only with the criminals but also the issues and causes that can lead to crime.
For example, complaints that are brought to the attention of the relevant authorities about what can be done to remove the causes for crime occurrence should be attended to speedily. Every complaint that is related to crime prevention must be attended to. For example if there is a complaint related to installing street lights to overcome problems of dark lanes or alleys, or requiring action to improve the safety of passages or walkways to schools and housing estates it must be acted upon urgently.
As crimes continue to occur and given the fact that the law enforcement alone is inadequate to tackle crime, the government has to promulgate effective social policies and programmes to prevent and control criminal activities.
What is essential is to find out the root causes of crime and criminal activities and take appropriate steps to address them?
However, the government also needs other stakeholders such as the traders, residents, professionals and the public to assist them to combat crime.
Hence, policymakers, academicians and the various strata of society need to stand up to this challenge and make their cities, towns and villages safe and liveable for everyone.
In this connection, continuous efforts must be made to reduce crime, lessen the fear of crime and create safer cities and towns where economic enterprises and community like can flourish.
This agenda to control and prevent crime demands a synergistic, concerted and tireless endeavour from everyone. Everyone has a role to play and a function to perform in the fight against crime.
The public must be made aware of the fact that crime prevention is a collective responsibility. Since its inception, MCPF is actively involved in awareness campaigns with various community based organizations to help create greater awareness about the need not to take their safety for granted but on the contrary to participate actively in crime prevention.
Through our safe city initiative projects, MCPF hopes to enlist the participation of all levels of our community in educating the public about what they should do in crime prevention.
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