DEPRESSION is an ILLNESS (supported by Statistics)

by KARTHIYAHINI A/P SELVARAJU

 

 

                                           

Many of us suffer from depression knowingly or unknowingly. Hence, most of us do not realize that we are suffering from mental disorders. On the other hand, some people are able to realize at a  very early stage and ignore it due to the embarrassment of sharing it with their family or friends. Those who  cannot control their emotions will always end up in mental disorders or depression.  

By 2022, mental health conditions are expected to be the second biggest health problem affecting  Malaysians after heart diseases due to covid-19 pandemic. A national survey by the Ministry of  Health found that one in three Malaysian adults aged 16 years and above (29.2 per cent) have a  mental health condition, nearly triple from 11.2 per cent in 2006. The states of Sabah, Kelantan,  Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak have the highest prevalence of mental health conditions. 

Amongst Malaysian youth aged 13 to 17, one in five have depression, two in five have anxiety and  one in 10 has stress. An alarming 10.1 per cent of youths have also attempted to take their lives.  

The statistics from January 1 to June 18 revealed that 89.4 per cent (109,806 out of 122,328 calls)  were related to mental health issues that required emotional and psychological support. The  helplines were managed by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Women, Family and  Community Development (MWFCD) and the Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM). 

In conclusion, there should be classes conducted in schools or academic intuitions based on mental  disorders. Thus, we can reduce the increasing number of “mental disorder” cases nationwide. 

Prevention is always better than the cure. So, let us work together and help those who need mental  health support or direct them to the respective parties like psychiatric parties.  

#MOJOkitabySM #SuaraMasyarakat #CommunityVoices #Depression #MentalDisorders

This MOJO content was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its  contents are the sole responsibility of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the  European Union, Internews,or SOLS 247 or NGOhub.

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