NEW STRATTS TTMES THURSDAY, lULy 9, 2009
It's nothing to be ashamed of
ACCORDING to Health Min-
istry statistics, 400,227 men-
tal patients sought treatrnent
in government hospitals last
year an increase of 15.6
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
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
per every40seconds.
In Malaysia, the suicide rate
has increased to between nine
and, '1,2 persons per 100,000
population 6empared wittl
eight in the 1980s. (The rate
among Indians was alarming,
at between 30 and 35 persors
per 100,000people.)
The increase in stess levels
and complex social responsi-
bilities are among factors
causing more people to devel-
op 4rental disorders.
Excess stress and pressure
conld seriously affect our
age mental health a^nd our dailv
life. Sensible lifestyle and worl
attitudes are therefore neces-
sary to cope with these chal-
lenges.
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
other forms of mental illness
are tragic reminders of anoth-
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
and economic costs.
Direct costs of mental disor-
ders are high but indirect costs
are estimated to be much
higher than the direct costs to
society.
There are marry forms of
mental illnesses which difrer
in severity, duration and de-
gree. But most mental illness-
es can be treated so that rea-
sona,ble state of health can be
maintained.
Like physical illness, mental
illnsss is nothing to be
ashamed of. homoting men-
tal health requiresjoint efforts
between the government and
relevant non-governmental
organisatiors.
A comprehensive communi-
ty mental health programme
is, therefore, needed to en-
courage the community to be
better informed a.bout mental
helping the mentally ill.
In Malaysia, we need to do
more for those who suffer
frommentalillness.
On the welfare services
front, the government should
include the mentally ill as dis-
a.bled persors. They should be
accorded special privileges in
employment to help them re-
hrn 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 Unit-
ed Nations Resolution 46/119
passed in December 1991,
"every person has the right to
live and work. to the extent
possible, in thg community".
TAN SRI tEE LAM THYE
Kuala Lumpur