Promotion of Good Mental Health

Niosh Chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye stressed today the development and promotion of good mental health is gaining increasing importance in view of the current economic downturn leading to more pressure and stress which will have serious repercussion on the well being of Malaysians.

In view of the current economic gloom possibly leading to recession, there is an increasing number of working Malaysians who are likely to suffer from anxiety, severe mental stress and even depression in relation to their jobs and working lives.

The impact that mental health problems, arising from economic hardship, imposed on the working population and their families as well as society as a whole is immense and needs to be addressed.

It is important during difficult and challenging times like this to ensure the health and well-being of Malaysians and their families through initiatives to promote good mental health among Malaysians from the viewpoint of sound social development.

In line with this, I wish to suggest to the Health Ministry to introduce short-term, medium and long-term measures to help depressed Malaysians and help intensify efforts for the promotion of good mental health.

This is the time for the Ministry to galvanize its resources nationwide to promote good mental health with the participation of the Malaysian Mental Health Association, other relevant NGO’s, employers, employees, family units and the community as a whole.

We need to take preventive measures to avoid suicide cases, more mental patients and people becoming victims of mental disorders arising from the economic downtown and unemployment.

Mental health is not just about mental illness. It is something we all need. It is feeling of well being, the ability to cope with life’s many challenges and to have a positive attitude towards oneself.

Mental health includes how one feels about one self, how one feels about other people and how one is able to handle the demands and challenges of life.

According to the world health organisation, depression rank fifth among the major causes of disability and it is expected to jump to second place in 2020.

It is undoubtedly essential to mount a comprehensive nationwide campaign to educate all strata of society and the community on how to acquire the right knowledge to achieve a lifestyle that practices good mental health.

The promotion of mental health encompasses the Government, the community and the family unit. The Government can lay the infrastructure by providing more psychiatric units and hospital beds.

The Health Ministry should look into training more psychiatrists and psychologists in hospitals and clinics to deal with those mental disorders while non-governmental or organizations should be assisted to do more in promoting mental health.